The man who conviction for rape in Salford twenty years ago was quashed at the court of appeal accused Greater Manchester Police of a massive cover up after realising they had made a terrible mistake.
Andy Malkinson served seventeen years in prison despite continuously denying the charges after being arrested in Grimsby, getting out on license three years ago
His legal team have highlighted a series of failures by Greater Manchester Police around forensic and identification evidence, disclosure failures by GMP as well as witness statements given by people with criminal records
Mr Malkinson told Radio Four’s today programme said that last night was his first real night of freedom
He described his joy at finally being free but anger at how the world had opened up after his arrest
It was like a bad dream he told the programme, maintaining his innocence after being sentenced to life in prison back in 2004, a decision that meant he served more time behind bars.
He described how people outside including his partner supported him in the outside world
He told the programme that the experience had taken an extremely heavy toll on him,a devastating experience which left him in total shock for many years
He admitted that he contemplated suicide on a number of occasions, saying that he was effectively being kidnapped by the state
Andy said that GMP wantonly destroyed evidence,realised that they had made a mistake and deliberately covered up their failings.He does not accept the apology from the police
Yesterday, GMP,who are not giving any interviews following the verdict delivered a statement to the media
Assistant Chief Constable Sarah Jackson said:
We are truly sorry to Mr Malkinson that he is the victim of such a grave miscarriage of justice, in being convicted of a crime he did not commit and serving a 17-year custodial sentence.
Whilst we hope this outcome gives him a long overdue sense of justice, we acknowledge that it does not return the years he has lost. I have offered to meet with him to personally deliver this apology.
