From the Archives

Jeremy Bamber Passes Lie Detector 2007

Archive from 2010

Extracts from The Daily Mirror – Friday April 20th 2007 - by Jeremy Armstrong

Jeremy Bamber passed a lie detector test yesterday – backing his 22 year fight to prove he did not murder five members of his family. And the expert who conducted it said: ‘I am absolutely convinced he is innocent.’ Terry Mullins Added ‘He did not show any sign of a reaction, not a flicker which would have shown up guilt.’

Now Bamber’s lawyers will send the results to the Home Secretary and ask for a third appeal. Bamber was ‘overwhelmed’ when told the results in a phone call to Full Sutton jail in York, where he is serving life. He told the Mirror: ‘I didn’t do it. I couldn’t have done. I wouldn’t have done it.’. . . .

Bamber, 45, who has been asking for the test since 1991, was finally given permission by the Home Office. It is believed to be the first time it has been allowed behind bars.

He was wired up to a £10,000 polygraph machine, said to be the most sophisticated available with 95 to 98 per cent accuracy. It measures reactions that can indicate guilt, including heartbeat, blood pressure, sweat, and even electromagnetic impulses.

Extract from Jeremy Bamber's Application under the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997s.30 (made in 2007)

"You will be aware that in Scotland the polygraph test was used to successfully liberate Joseph Steele who had, like our client, vehemently proclaimed innocence of 6 murders. It was not until after two failed appeals and referrals by the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission (which failed) that the Scottish Secretary of state applied those* powers and released Mr Steele.

(*The Crime Sentences Act 1997 s.30 which permits as a matter of statute the release of a convicted person for 'compassionate' reasons)

The reliance upon the polygraph test is also founded upon the current Offender Management Bill (Part 3) Section 24 and 25 which grants the Secretary of State to impose upon released life prisoners on license the retirement to undertake polygraph tests.

Polygraph tests are used by the Department of Health and Social Security to evaluate applications for benefits. And are routinely used by the UK Military, by the Security Service, Police and even Insurance Companies to combat fraud.

It is an instrument that as per the Offender Management Bill (part 3) Section 24 and 25 which will become law within the next few months confirms the reliance of the Secretary of State on such tests for the safety and security of the public when dealing with released convicted criminals.

It would in our view be almost a conflict if on one hand the Secretary of State by Statute relies upon and accepts the tests of polygraphs for those convicted for murder and released on license, yet refuses to acknowledge or ignore such for those that proclaim innocence and pass not one but 12 questions regarding murders that in our view remain unsolved.

As stated the Secretary of state has inherent powers at such a release if the circumstances merit such use of the powers. In our view taking into consideration the most appalling disclosure and manner upon which the trial of our client was prosecuted, but more important the results of the polygraph which make this case and this application one which in our submission of de liberate forthwith with or without conditions"

Attacked In Prison

Bamber Attacked - Extracts from the East Anglian Daily Standard

Convicted murderer Jeremy Bamber has been stabbed in the neck in prison by a fellow inmate. Bamber was taken to hospital after the attack, at HM Prison Full Sutton near York. He had been on the telephone at the time of the assault. He needed stitches to the back of his neck, but has now returned to the jail and is recovering in the hospital wing. Bamber yesterday said that he did not know the prisoner who attacked him, and he had no idea what the reason was.

The attack happened at 3.20pm on Saturday. A spokesman for the Home Office said: 'I can confirm a prisoner was taken for treatment to an outside hospital and police have been informed. It did follow an assault.'

Published Monday May 31, 2004