Findlay, Andreas

Andreas Findlay was convicted in July 1989 of conspiracy to rob and received a sentence of nine years’ imprisonment.

The CCRC received an application for review of the conviction in November 2002.

The sole evidence against Mr Findlay had come from disputed verbal admissions said to have been made by him when he was arrested and whilst in a police car.

Mr Findlay’s arrest and prosecution had involved officers from the Metropolitan Police Flying Squad based at Rigg Approach.

Following the trial, in the late 1990s, the Complaints Investigation Bureau of the Metropolitan Police conducted a major inquiry into allegations of corruption at Rigg Approach (Operation Spain).

Two officers admitted serious criminal offences and made allegations that many of their colleagues had engaged in similar behaviour.

As a result, 25 other officers were charged with criminal offences or suspended from duty pending investigation (“A officers”).

A further group of officers, whilst not proactive in the commission of offences, were subject to a “general taint” (“B officers”).

One corrupt practice identified in Operation Spain was the use of “First Aid Kits”.

These were bags containing an imitation firearm and other incriminating items which were carried routinely in Flying Squad vehicles.

Items from these kits could be planted to enhance the case against a suspect who had been arrested.

In this case, Mr Findlay’s disputed admissions were said to have been made to “A” officers and were recorded by “B” officers.

The CCRC concluded the confession evidence was therefore unreliable.

The CCRC referred the conviction in February 2003.

The Court of Appeal quashed the conviction in November 2003.