A security guard jailed after police claimed he was the 'inside man' in a £6m armed robbery has had his conviction quashed - thanks to a determined campaign by journalist Don Hale.

Graham Huckerby walked free from jail yesterday after fresh evidence gathered by investigative journalist Don, a former editor of the Matlock Mercury, persuaded a judge to refer the case directly back to the Court of Appeal.

Huckerby had received a 14-year sentence in April 2002 after it was claimed he provided valuable information to an armed gang, with his co-accused, James Power, acting as his handler.

But following a unique double appeal both men have been granted bail, having had their convictions quashed in a judgement handed down by three judges at the Court of Appeal, in London.

Don, who received national acclaim for his part in freeing Stephen Downing, who spent 27 years in jail for a murder he did not commit, spent many months reviewing the claims of Securicor driver Huckerby.

He said: "This case was most unusual and led to a unique double appeal hearing. The case was riddled with anomalies, and I always believed that both Huckerby and his co-accused, James Power, had been unfairly convicted on circumstantial evidence.

"His family and legal team asked me to investigate and I found some fresh evidence and highlighted other crucial factors not heard by the jury at trial. My submission was eventually presented to a single judge, and it was he, who referred the case directly to the Court of Appeal in London.

"I was able to cast doubt on the conviction by providing credible evidence to counter the original claims at trial, and even proved Huckerby had been the victim of another raid several months before when his van was again attacked and his colleague stabbed.

"I was determined to campaign for justice, and I am so pleased that both men have been released in time for Christmas."

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