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Two men wrongly convicted on corrupt cop's evidence have their names cleared FIFTY YEARS on

From the Newshound archive · first published 22 September 2026 · last updated 24 September 2026.

Detective sergeant Derek Ridgewell, who was jailed for stealing more than £1 million of goods, systematically framed innocent young Black men — becoming the reason 15 people have now had convictions quashed.
Detective sergeant Derek Ridgewell, who was jailed for stealing more than £1 million of goods, systematically framed innocent young Black men — becoming the reason 15 people have now had convictions quashed.

Christopher Poulter and Kevin Biggs, aged 21 and 18 in 1976, were jailed after Detective Sergeant Derek Ridgewell falsely claimed he saw them steal 13 mailbags from a railway wagon at Clapham goods yard. The Court of Appeal quashed both convictions on Tuesday, making them the 14th and 15th people cleared because of Ridgewell's misconduct. Solicitor Jenny Wiltshire called it a "disgrace" that British Transport Police took so long to trace those affected.

Ridgewell was jailed for seven years in 1980 after stealing more than £1 million in goods — and died in prison in 1982.

Kevin Biggs died in 2004 never knowing his conviction would be overturned; his case came to light only through a BTP investigation hunting Ridgewell's victims.

Charity APPEAL is now pushing for 'Trew's Law', which would force immediate review of all cases linked to any officer jailed for corruption.

Morelondondaily.newsCourt of Appeal quashes 1976 Clapham mailbag convictions - London Daily NewsDaily MailMore men have convictions quashed after falling victim to corrupt copYahoo News UKTwo men arrested by corrupt police officer finally have convictions quashed after 50 yearsThe IndependentMen accused of stealing mail bags 50 years ago finally have convictions quashedThe GuardianCourt quashes 1976 theft convictions over link to corrupt London police officerbbc.comTwo framed by corrupt BTP officer Det Sgt Derek Ridgewell clearedbbc.comMen convicted on corrupt officer's evidence cleared 50 years on
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