Investigative journalist Don Hale was due in London today for the Court of Appeal hearing into the conviction of Graham Huckerby, jailed for his part in a £6m robbery.

Don, a former editor of the Matlock Mercury, who received national acclaim for his part in freeing convicted murderer Stephen Downing from jail on appeal, is hoping for similar success with the Huckerby case.

The full appeal was due to start today, with the main body of evidence due to be heard before the judgement tomorrow.

Security guard Graham Huckerby was sentenced to 14 years in April 2002 as the "inside man" on the crime, but Don believes he has been made a scapegoat, and has helped his family prepare grounds for appeal. The double appeal will also hear evidence surrounding co-accused Shay Power, also given life for the Manchester robbery.

Fresh evidence gathered by Don could result in the conviction being ruled a miscarriage of justice. It was his 41-page review - endorsed by his legal team - that persuaded a single judge to refer the case directly back to the Court of Appeal.

Don was awarded an OBE following the Downing hearing and has now helped in four successful referrals and advised on several other major cases.

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