16 November 1999
Battle to free men goes on
The families of two Hull men serving life sentences
for murdering petty criminal Shane George today vowed to continue their
fight to clear their names.
Lyndon Coles, 35, and Robert Bradley, 29, failed
to convince the Court of Appeal last week that they were innocent of the
1994 shooting in Coltman Street, west Hull.
But, speaking to the Mail for the first time since
the hearing, Robert Coles, 55, the father of Lyndon, said the campaign was
not over.
And he renewed his challenge to Humberside Police
to sue him over allegations he has made about evidence that led to the
two men being framed.
Mr Coles said: "We know our sons are innocent."
The families are now planning to lobby Home Secretary
Jack Straw for changes in the way complaints against police officers are
investigated.
"There should be a specially trained group of people,
with no axe to grind, who do not know the officers being investigated,"
said Mr Coles.
"We are disappointed at the outcome. As parents we
have done everything we can through the legal channels. But it does not
end here.
"My argument is with the justice system and it starts
in the police force, with the questioning of suspects."
Mr Coles claimed earlier this year that he moved
from his home in Clarendon Street, west Hull, after being threatened with
a shotgun during his own investigations.
And he claims that the trial jury was confused by
conflicting evidence.
"Nine key witnesses later retracted their evidence.
It grieves us that their retractions were ignored," he said.
A spokeswoman for Humberside Police today declined
to comment on the Appeal Court's decision.
She said: "As a file is still outstanding as to whether
or not there are any disciplinary issues, it would not be appropriate to
comment further." |