Janet Skinner, a victim of the Post Office Horizon IT scandal, expressed dismay after being offered only 15% of her compensation claim. In 2007, she was wrongly convicted of false accounting due to errors in the software, resulting in a nine-month prison sentence. Despite providing extensive evidence, she received a significantly reduced offer.
Skinner, who suffered immense physical and emotional tolls from the ordeal, lost her home, job, and endured a partial paralysis in 2008. Despite her resilience in relearning to walk, she continues to face serious health challenges, particularly in cold weather. She remains resolute in seeking a fair compensation settlement.
The Post Office’s handling of Skinner’s case has drawn criticism from her legal representative, Simon Goldberg. He emphasized the cruel treatment she faced and highlighted the struggle faced by victims in getting fair compensation. Skinner’s ordeal, which led to her loss of independence and personal dignity, reflects the severe impact of the IT scandal on her life.
Although her conviction was overturned in 2021, it took over four years to prepare her compensation claim, including multiple medical assessments. A recent hearing acknowledged the severe impact of stress on her health, but significant disputes remain over her loss of earnings and future care needs.
The Department for Business and Trade has taken charge of compensating sub-postmasters affected by wrongful convictions. Despite over £1 billion already paid out to thousands of victims, Skinner remains unsatisfied with her offer and is prepared to pursue legal action if necessary. Mr. Goldberg has called for political intervention to address the systemic issues faced by victims of the Horizon scandal.