Armed Robber Freed by Judge thanks to Forensic DNA Testing

24 Nov 2014

At the Edinburgh Court of Appeal, The Lord Justice Clerk, Lord Gill has freed a convicted armed robber, due to new DNA evidence creating clear reasonable doubt.

Billy Mills, aged 42, was found guilty of armed robbery in May 2007, and sentenced to nine years the following August. During his trial at Glasgow’s High Court, jurors heard that a masked man, brandishing a hand gun, had entered the Royal Bank of Scotland branch in Partick, Glasgow, and demanded cash from frightened staff and customers, getting away with £8,216.

At his trial, Mr.Mills had denied the offence, claiming to have been at home during the robbery, and even incriminated another man for the robbery. Convicted criminal, Michael Absalom, a 38-year-old South African, was even a witness for the defense during the trial. Several other witnesses spoke about the robber having a foreign accent, and two even mentioned a South African in particular.

After Mr.Mills was convicted of the robbery, new evidence emerged linking Absalom to the crime. DNA evidence matching his profile was found. The former events manager was jailed for eight and a half years last year for robbing an American Express office in Hope Street, Glasgow, and an RBS branch in Troon, Ayrshire.

Following his conviction fresh DNA evidence emerged linking South African, Absalom, to the raid. DNA evidence matching his profile was found on the doorstep of the bank.

Judge Gill said that this clearly presented reasonable doubt, stating, “The new evidence confirms all of our reservations about this conviction. We agree that there is clearly reasonable doubt.” Mr. Mills was then told “We conclude that there has been a miscarriage of justice and allow the appeal. You are free to go.”

Interviewed after the Appeal Court ruling, a jubilant Mr. Mills said, “I am just delighted with what happened. I have been found innocent of a crime I never committed. I have spent two years of my life going through this. Justice has prevailed.”

easyDNA provide answers to all your forensic DNA testing questions. For more information, contact us directly via email or phone.

March 2009