Man's 1975 murder verdict quashed

A man who has spent 26 years in prison protesting his innocence of murder today had his conviction dramatically quashed by the Court of Appeal.

Frank Johnson, 66, has always maintained that he did not murder shopkeeper Jack Sheridan by setting him ablaze in east London in February 1975.

Lord Justice Longmore, sitting with two other judges in London, made the announcement that the conviction would be overturned immediately after the lunchtime adjournment on the second day of Johnson's appeal.

The judge said : "We have come to the conclusion that in the light of the medical history of this case, the medical evidence, it is impossible for us to say that Mr Johnson's conviction is a safe conviction.

"It will therefore be quashed."

Lord Justice Longmore said that Johnson, who had waived his right to be present for the hearing and will be released from prison, could now be "discharged".