The human cost of the Post Office Horizon scandal has taken a devastating new turn, as victim Lee Castleton reveals the immense physical toll of his wrongful conviction left him partially paralysed.
Mr Castleton, who lost everything after being falsely accused of stealing £25,000 from his Bridlington branch, suffered a catastrophic health collapse directly linked to the stress of his legal battle against the Post Office.
The Breaking Point
"I had a massive inflammatory response to the stress and pressure," Castleton explained. "It affected my brain and nervous system, leaving me partially paralysed down my left side."
The former sub-postmaster's ordeal began when the faulty Horizon accounting system showed unexplained shortfalls at his Post Office. Despite maintaining his innocence, he faced a brutal legal battle that bankrupted him and destroyed his reputation.
A Life Shattered
The financial and emotional strain proved overwhelming:
- Faced with £321,000 in legal costs after losing his case
- Forced into bankruptcy, losing his business and livelihood
- Subjected to public humiliation and community suspicion
- His children bullied at school over the false accusations
"The Post Office knew there were issues with Horizon," Castleton stated. "They chose to destroy me rather than admit the truth."
Ongoing Health Battle
Now living with permanent physical limitations, Castleton requires extensive rehabilitation and faces daily challenges. His case highlights how the scandal's damage extends far beyond financial ruin, destroying health and wellbeing.
Despite recent government compensation schemes, many victims like Castleton feel the response has been too little, too late. The psychological and physical scars remain, serving as a stark reminder of institutional failure.
As the public inquiry continues to uncover the full extent of the cover-up, victims await not just financial restitution but proper acknowledgment of the lives permanently altered by this miscarriage of justice.
