The Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission (“the Commission”) has referred the case of Ravinder Singh Naga (“the applicant”) to the High Court of Justiciary for determination.
In 2010 the applicant pled guilty at Greenock Sheriff Court to one charge of theft from a Post Office. The applicant was associated with the Post Office branch in question but was not the subpostmaster. The court imposed a community service order requiring 300 hours of unpaid work and a compensation order for £35,000.
In 2022 the applicant applied to the Commission, seeking a review of his conviction and sentence.
The Commission has referred the applicant’s conviction to the High Court of Justiciary as it concluded that the applicant pled guilty in circumstances that were, or could be said to be, clearly prejudicial to him. The Commission also concluded that ‘Horizon’ evidence was essential to the proof of the accounting shortfall that led to the charge being brought against the applicant and that the prosecution was oppressive because the process was an affront to justice.
In accordance with the Commission’s statutory obligations, a statement of reasons for its decision has been sent to the applicant, the High Court, the Lord Advocate and Crown Office. The Commission has no power under its founding statute to make copies of its statements of reasons available to the public. This news release is for information purposes only and its content should not be treated as forming part of the Commission’s statement of reasons.
Notes for Editors
Post Office/Horizon Cases
The Commission described its legal analysis of Horizon cases in its press release of November 2022.
The SCCRC is still accepting applications from those affected by the Horizon computer system. It encourages anyone who believes that they have suffered a miscarriage of justice to make contact.
General Information
The Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission was established as an independent body on 1 April 1999 to review alleged miscarriages of justice in Scottish convictions and/or sentences. Under section 194 A–T of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995, the Commission may refer a case to the High Court if it believes that a miscarriage of justice may have occurred and that it is in the interests of justice that a reference should be made. Once a case is referred to the High Court by the Commission, it will proceed as a normal appeal.
The Commission operates with a Board of 8 Members, one of whom is the Chairperson, a Chief Executive, a Director of Corporate Services, 2 Senior Legal Officers, 3 Legal Officers and administrative support staff.
In terms of its disclosure policy, the Commission will disclose the fact that a case has been referred. However, as it operates under statutory non-disclosure provisions, the Commission will not disclose any further information about such cases.
For any further general information about the Commission please contact:
Mr Chris Reddick,
Director of Corporate Services,
SCCRC,
4th Floor,
Portland House,
17 Renfield Street,
Glasgow,
G2 5AH
Tel: 0141 270 7030
e-mail: creddick@sccrc.org.uk
