A FORMER Clackmannanshire sub-postmaster is set to be represented by the Edinburgh-based legal firm Watermans.
Rab Thomson is pursuing compensation from the Post Office following his wrongful conviction for embezzling money.
The 64-year-old was found guilty after an audit revealed that nearly £6,000 was missing from the Cambus Post Office near Alva, which Thomson took over from his mother in the early 2000s.
Thomson was subsequently handed a sentence of 250 hours of community service for Thomson.
Watermans said in a statement that the father-of-two suffered severe depression and admitted to attempting suicide when the Post Office’s IT system accused him and hundred of others of theft, false accounting, or fraud.
Thomson seeks compensation for the wrongful prosecution as well as anguish and emotional suffering endured by himself and his family.
Scott Whyte, Watermans managing director, said: “For over 20 years, Rab has had the shadow and the shame of this conviction hanging over his and his family’s head. It has been a huge burden that he has had to shoulder for far too long.
“We will now be taking his case forward to seek the compensation that he is rightfully entitled to.
“Whilst no amount of money will make up for all that Rab and his family have been through, it is essential that the Post Office and all involved in these malicious prosecutions are held fully to account and made to pay for the destruction they have caused to Rab and his fellow-postmasters.”
His miscarriage of justice claim was due to be held at the Court of Criminal Appeal in London earlier this month, however prosecutors said they would not object to his name being cleared before the case could be heard.
“It has only just started to set in that my conviction has finally been overturned. I never thought I would see this day,” said Mr Thomson.
“I just wish my mum was here to see this, too, but sadly she passed away before my name had been cleared.
“The conviction felt like a noose around my neck for so many years but I never stopped fighting to clear my name.
“The support of people around me who did believe in me and supported me through this has been so valuable.
“That includes the support of the solicitors who have taken on my case and believed in me all the way.
“I will now be working with my legal team to ensure that justice is served for all wrongfully convicted postmasters and that we are compensated for everything we have been through.”
