The High Court will today hear the case of Lorraine Harris who is seeking a Judicial Review of the Home Secretary's refusal to provide her with compensation for miscarriage of justice.
Lorraine was convicted of the manslaughter of her son by a jury at the Crown Court at Nottingham on 7 September 2000. Evidence was given at trial by doctors who described how the injuries suffered by the Claimant’s son were consistent with shaking or an impact.
Her case was considered by the Court of Appeal in July 2005 along with three other cases. The ‘shaken baby cases’ resulted in Lorraine’s conviction being quashed.
Lorraine then applied for compensation for the time spent imprisoned, but this was refused by the Home Secretary in what is becoming an increasing trend to refuse to compensate victims of miscarriages of justice.
The High Court will be considering whether the refusal to provide compensation was lawful, and if the Court decides that it is not, then the Home Secretary will be asked to reconsider his decision.
Lorraine was represented by Campbell Malone at the Court of Appeal and is currently represented by Mike Pemberton.