Martin, Kevin

Kevin Martin was convicted in July 1995 of robbery and possession of a prohibited weapon. Mr Martin received a sentence of ten years’ imprisonment.

The CCRC received an application for review of the conviction in May 1999.

Mr Martin’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.

Five police officers involved in Mr Martin’s case were later found to be “A” officers.

The CCRC considered that this substantially damaged the credibility of the prosecution evidence, including the finding of a stun gun at Mr Martin’s address.

This stun gun was found by an officer later convicted of perverting the course of justice as a result of planting evidence.

The CCRC referred the conviction in September 1999.

The Court of Appeal quashed the conviction in July 2000.