Liam Holden
Liam Holden was convicted or the murder of a soldier, Private Frank Bell, who was shot in the head as he patrolled in Belfast. He was taken from his home and brought to an army post where he was held for almost five hours. By the end of this, he agreed to sign a statement admitting he shot the soldier. He was subjected to sustainned torture and threats during this time. His conviction was quashed on appeal due to doubts about the admissibility and reliability of his confession.
In 2023, the High Court of Justice in Northern Ireland delivered a judgment finding for Mr Holden on allegations of water-boarding, threats to kill at gunpoint, hooding, public misfeasance and malicious prosecution.
View Press (www.theguardian.com)
View Press (www.theguardian.com)
< Back to Case Search < Back to Overview Graph- Offence: Murder
- Jurisdiction: Northern Ireland
- County: Unknown
- Ethnicity: White
- Gender: M
- Years in prison: 17
- Offence convicted of: Murder
- Year of crime: 1972
- Year of initial conviction: 1972
- Year conviction was overturned: 2012
- Age when imprisoned: 19
- CCRC Referral: Y
- Post Office Case: N
- Tried with others: N
- Link to full case: https://www.judiciaryni.uk/files/judiciaryni/decisions/William%20%28Liam%29%20Holden%20and%20Ministry%20of%20Defence%20and%20Chief%20Constable%20of%20The%20Police%20Service%20of%20Northern%20Ireland.pdf
- Type of fresh evidence at appeal: Evidence undermining the reliability of a confession, Evidence casting doubt on the integrity of police
- Compensation: Yes
- Link to compensation: https://www.judiciaryni.uk/files/judiciaryni/2024-10/Bowden%20%28Bronagh%29%20as%20personal%20representative%20of%20Liam%20Holden.pdf
- Crown argued case at CofA: No
- Retrial: No
- Previous appeals: Unknown