1991: Silcott not guilty of PC's murder

The man who was jailed for life in 1987 for killing a police officer has been cleared of the crime.

Winston Silcott was convicted of the murder of PC Keith Blakelock during the Broadwater Farm riots in Tottenham, north London, six years ago.

The Appeal Court said new scientific evidence meant Silcott's alleged confession could no longer be replied upon, but he will remain in prison as he is serving a life sentence for another offence.

He was convicted of murdering boxer Anthony Smith at a party before the Broadwater Farm riots. He has always claimed he was acting in self defence.

The other two men in the so-called "Tottenham Three" who were convicted of the murder - Mark Braithwaite and Engin Raghip - will have their appeals heard tomorrow.

Uncorroborated statement

The Crown said Silcott had been jailed solely on the weight of an unsigned, uncorroborated statement police took in the absence of a solicitor.

And government scientist Robert Radley testified that his analysis proved some pages of the document had been replaced at a later stage.

The court also heard the accused man had not appeared on any police photographs of the riot and his fingerprints were not found on the weapons recovered from the scene.

Long struggle for justice

Detective Chief Superintendent Graham Melvin, who interviewed Silcott, has been suspended and may face charges of fabricating evidence.

Labour MP for Tottenham Bernie Grant, who backed the appeal, said he was very pleased with the result.

"The campaign and campaigners have been vindicated after the long struggle we have had for justice," he said.

	E-mail this story to a friend