Date of Incident:
Date of Conviction: 1993
Exoneration Date: 1998
Charge: Armed robbery
Conviction: Armed robbery
Sentence: 8 years
Sentence Served: 4.5 years
Contributing Causes: Identification evidence
Compensation: No
Terry IRVING
Terry Irving was convicted in 1993 of armed robbery of a bank. He was identified as the armed robber by three bank tellers. This identification was false.
Terry Irving protested his innocence throughout the trial, and appeals, and was denied legal aid for his appeals. He was convicted of armed robbery and sentenced to eight years imprisonment.
After serving over half of his prison sentence, Irving had his conviction quashed by the High Court of Australia. He was released on bail during this time in December 11, 1997, and all charges were finally dropped against him in October 1998.
The High Court of Australia stated that Irving’s original trial was unfair. The court observed that it was a very disturbing situation and illustrated the gravest misgivings about the circumstances of the case. The High Court were also appalled when it was revealed that Irving had been denied any legal aid assistance for his appeals, and had to represent himself.
Irving applied for compensation in July 1998, and many times since. He is yet to be compensated for his four and a half years of wrongful imprisonment.
