The Court of Appeal has quashed the convictions of two men who were framed by corrupt and racist detective Derek Ridgewell in the 1970s. Errol Campbell, who died in 2004, and Ronald De Souza are the 12th and 13th people to have their convictions overturned due to evidence from the disgraced British Transport Police officer.
Campbell was imprisoned for 18 months in 1977 based on evidence planted by Ridgewell for the same offence the detective was later jailed for. Lord Justice Holroyde, overturning the conviction, said: “We regret that this court cannot undo what the late Mr Campbell suffered. We can however, and do, allow the appeal brought on his behalf and quash his conviction. We hope that will at least bring some comfort to Mr Campbell’s family.”
De Souza, now 71, is the last member of the Stockwell Six to have his conviction overturned. He was sentenced to six months in prison in 1972 for allegedly trying to rob Ridgewell on the London Underground. Holroyde said: “It is plainly appropriate that this injustice, that has continued for decades, should be ended as soon as possible.”
Ridgewell, who died in prison in 1982, also framed the Oval Four. He was jailed for seven years in 1980 for stealing mailbags worth £364,000 from a goods depot in Southwark. The court heard that Ridgewell planted a stolen travel clock and a packaging label in Campbell's home. Campbell's son said his father “was a ruined man” after his conviction, taking to heavy drinking.
Henry Blaxland KC, representing Campbell's family, said: “Ridgewell simply continued where he had left off in the anti-mugging squad and Erroll Campbell became another of his victims.” He added that the case deals with “victims of miscarriage of justice brought about by state crime” and that the “corrosive impact of police, racism and corruption is incalculable.”
