Subpostmaster accused of theft criticises Government redress claims

DEPARTMENT IS 'MARKING ITS OWN HOMEWORK', INSISTS CAMPAIGNER

- By SAM VOLPE

A MAN who became the nation's youngest subpostmaster, only to be accused of stealing thousands of pounds, has criticised the Government for "marking its own homework" when it comes to compensation for the Horizon accounting scandal.

Christopher Head, like hundreds of others, was wrongly accused of stealing cash from his branch.

He had taken over the West Boldon Post Office in South Tyneside aged just 18 in 2006, only to be accused of stealing £80,000.

The criminal case against him was dropped, but the Post Office then pursued him through the civil courts.

Mr Head was made an OBE for his campaigning in December 2024.

He was one of 492 subpostmasters entitled to apply for redress under a scheme following a group litigation order (GLO) that came after the High Court legal action launched by Sir Alan Bates and 554 others between 2017 and 2019.

He said the scheme could have “wrapped up a year ago” if the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) had listened to feedback from claimants.