Albert James

Albert James was convicted of robbery and murder of Charles Pelham. Pelham, part of a travelling family, was shot twice when he went out to see his dog. Two co-defendants, Johnson and Hall had entered the yard with the intention of robbing the Pelham’s. The prosecution alleged that James was involved in the plan through supplying information about the Pelham family, and the shotgun. The key evidence against James was confessions he made at interview. On appeal, it was found that breaches of PACE meant these interviews should have been excluded as evidence. They were unreliable and James had been refused a solicitor. On that basis the conviction was quashed.

View Press (justice.org.uk)