Miscarriage of justice over jailed sub-postmaster, say relatives

RELATIVES of a former sub-postmaster sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering his wife have spoken of their hope that his name will be cleared when a decision on an appeal is taken next month.

The Court of Appeal in London is expected to hear new evidence in the case which saw Robin Garbutt, 46, convicted of the murder of his wife, Diane, at their home in North Yorkshire.

Garbutt’s sister, Sallie Wood, maintained he had been the victim of a “terrible miscarriage of justice”, and added: “If there is any justice in the world, Robin’s conviction will be quashed and he will walk free.

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“My family has been devastated by the events of the last two years but we have all drawn strength from Robin, who despite being convicted of a crime he didn’t commit, has fought – and will continue to fight – to clear his name.

“Somewhere out there is the person – or persons – that murdered Di and who is to say they won’t do it again? We hope that whoever they are, they will eventually be caught and brought to justice.”

Mrs Garbutt was battered with an iron bar in the living quarters above the post office she ran with her husband in Melsonby in March 2010.

Garbutt insisted his wife had been attacked by armed robbers, but a jury at Teesside Crown Court convicted him of murder by a 10-2 majority.

He was sentenced in April last year to a minimum of 20 years in jail before being eligible for parole. The Court of Appeal will decide on May 15 if Garbutt can be given leave to appeal.