Postmasters have launched a legal action against the Post Office over a controversial computer system that it is claimed has led to more than 150 wrongful prosecutions or claims of theft.
Some sub-postmasters running small post offices across the country were jailed. Others lost their homes and faced financial ruin because they were forced to pay back alleged shortfalls.
A report by forensic accountant Second Sight — which was appointed by the Post Office — found in July 2013 that the system had defects that caused shortfalls and surpluses of up to £9,800 at 76 branches. The postmasters argue there were larger shortfalls and the problem was more widespread.
The sub-postmasters have now filed a High Court claim against the Post Office.
Jo Hamilton, 58, who was prosecuted for stealing £36,000 from a branch in South Warnborough, Hampshire, avoided prison after agreeing to pay the Post Office the missing money and pleading guilty to false accounting. Villagers supported her in court.
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Documents seen by BBC Panorama last year indicated the losses at Hamilton’s post office were probably caused by operational errors rather than theft. Her case is now being reviewed.
Hamilton, who is part of the legal action, said: “I took my bag on the day I went to court ready to go to prison. It was awful. I think we will get justice because the Post Office is defending the indefensible.”
Wendy Martin, 46, a postmistress in York, shut her branch temporarily last year because she says software glitches were causing cash shortfalls at her branch.
The Post Office has said it never prosecutes people for making innocent mistakes and there is no evidence computer faults caused money to go missing at branches where there have been prosecutions.