Public aplogy and exoneration

On 10 October 2006, the West Australian Police Commission Karl O’Callaghan announced that, following a cold case review, Andrew Mallard had been eliminated as a person of interest. Commissioner O’Callaghan publicly apologised to Andrew on ABC radio and also wrote the apology in a letter delivered to Andrew on 11 October, a day after the announcement. The police error cost Andrew 12 years of his life.

Said Sabine Zanker of Fairtrials Abroad, a non-profit organisation that seeks justice for British citizens imprisoned abroad -

“This year has been a rollercoaster of emotions for Andrew. In November 2005 the High Court of Australia quashed his decade-old conviction, but Andrew was not released until February this year. Even so, Robert Cock, the WA Director of Public Prosecutions declared publicly that Andrew remained their prime suspect.

“We have been actively seeking justice for Andrew, who can now start to rebuild his life. Despite his ordeal, he bears no ill feelings towards the police and is determined to find happiness and fulfillment. Sadly, his uncle Dennis Denley, from Devon - a passionate campaigner for justice - passed away in August 2006, and thus cannot share the joy of the family.”

“This public apology wipes the slate clean for Andrew and will finally allow him to pursue those goals,” concluded Ms Zanker.