Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Liam Holden in 2012 PA

Family of man tortured by British military into murder confession awarded £350,000

Liam Holden’s conviction was quashed in 2012 and he received £1 million in damages for the miscarriage of justice.

THE FAMILY OF a man who was tortured into a confession that he killed a British soldier has been awarded £350,000 (€397,000) by the High Court in Belfast.

Liam Holden was the last man to be sentenced to death by hanging in the UK after he was convicted in 1972 for the murder of soldier Private Frank Bell.

His sentence was later reduced to life in prison.

Holden had been tortured, including through waterboarding techniques, in military custody which a High Court judge found had led to his confession.

His conviction was quashed in 2012 and he received £1 million in damages for the miscarriage of justice.

Holden died last year at the age of 68 after launching civil proceedings for damages against the UK Ministry of Defence and the PSNI.

He previously gave evidence in the case.

Justice Rooney said he had been an honest and truthful witness who had described traumatic experiences.

“It is my decision that the plaintiff was subjected to waterboarding. He was hooded, He was driven in a car flanked by soldiers to a location where he thought he would be assassinated. A gun was put to his head and he was threatened that he would be shot dead,” he said.

He went on to award damages for personal injuries, loss and damage while Holden had been unlawfully detained at the Black Mountain Army Base.

He awarded the estate of Holden £50,000 for waterboarding, hooding and threat to kill, £10,000 for malicious prosecution, £10,000 for misfeasance in public office, £30,000 in aggravated damages and £250,000 for special loss.

In a joint statement, Holden’s son Samuel Bowden and daughter Bronagh Holden said their father was an innocent man.

“The court has found that our father was waterboarded by the British Army in Belfast in 1972,” they said.

“The court also found that he was maliciously prosecuted by the army.

“The court has today exposed the grotesque act of torture committed by the members of the Paratrooper regiment in Belfast in 1972.

“My father was an innocent man who went to jail for a crime he did not commit for 17 years.

“We wish he was here today with us. He died on 15 September 2022. We miss him but salute him – his life and campaign for justice were a triumph of humanity over state injustice.”

Sinn Fein MLA Gerry Kelly paid tribute to the Holden family.

“I want to commend Liam’s family for their determination and dignity and their continued campaign for truth and justice,” he said.

“Today’s verdict in the courts is further vindication of that campaign.”

Close
8 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eoghan Ryan
    Favourite Eoghan Ryan
    Report
    Mar 24th 2023, 9:10 PM

    The wonderful British justice system in its full glory again. How many more were jailed and indeed executed despite their complete innocence. And of course like other cases no individuals held to account. Rotten.

    547
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Anna Carr
    Favourite Anna Carr
    Report
    Mar 24th 2023, 11:21 PM

    @Eoghan Ryan: ah come on now, the British in the wrong???????? Get a grip man haha :)

    73
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute west awake
    Favourite west awake
    Report
    Mar 24th 2023, 10:52 PM

    The same sainted British establishment, who are now shocked by the Russians, shocked I tell you.

    275
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Wilson
    Favourite Alan Wilson
    Report
    Mar 24th 2023, 10:00 PM

    Listen to a pod cast called The Troubles it’s unreal what humans can do to one another

    131
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute ggg
    Favourite ggg
    Report
    Mar 25th 2023, 5:23 AM

    What shocks me is, still to this day Irish men still apply to join the Paras, unbelievable. Watch a thing on you tube a while back about the Paras and two Dublin guys in the programme talking about what drew them to the Paras. Maybe I

    97
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute ggg
    Favourite ggg
    Report
    Mar 25th 2023, 5:25 AM

    *I’m just to much of an Irish republican. I find it astounding that any Irish man or woman would want to join that regiment in particular.

    95
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stephen Walshe
    Favourite Stephen Walshe
    Report
    Mar 25th 2023, 5:10 AM

    What about the cum that did it to him no prosecutions?

    85
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Philip Holohan
    Favourite Philip Holohan
    Report
    Mar 25th 2023, 11:35 AM

    So twice awarded damages for different offences. Any charges for the perpetrators??

    38
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds