Injustice by way of imprisonment continues to be heaped upon our class. Here are 3 more individual cases to highlight this issue.

Mark Barnsley

Four Christmases spent locked up behind bars prompted Mark to go on 48 hour hunger strike at the end of November 1997. Mark took this step not only protesting his own wrongful conviction but in solidarity with the Hungry for Justice campaign organised by Action Against Injustice and Birmingham Prisoners Solidarity groups. The background to Mark's imprisonment has become widely known as the Pomona Incident. Mark, with his friend Jane, together with his small baby dropped into the beer garden of the Pomona pub one hot June day in 1994. Fifteen drunken students, male and female verbally abused Jane and the infant in Mark's absence, with harrowing comments like "I'd like to fuck your baby". This comment came from a male student with a verifiable record of making obscene telephone calls. When Mark came back and expressed his disgust, he was set upon, glassed, knifed, chased and beaten horrifically. Many witnesses to the incident confirmed Mark's story, some prosecution witnesses even firmly corroborating Mark's innocence as non-aggressor. Four of the five who testified against Mark perjured evidence, acknowledged by the judge but kept from the jury. Independent experts produced evidence that not only were the students drunk but they were also high on other drugs. But again this was ignored and the jury did not get to hear about it. As is all too common in many 'miscarriages of justice' the prosecution withheld large amounts of pertinent evidence from the defence which would help clear Mark, evidence not presented at the trial and continually held secret by the prosecution to date.

You can help Mark and lend support by contacting: Mark Barnsley Support Group P.O. BOX 567 Sheffield S50 OYS

Ishtiaq Ahmed

Yet again another litany of suppression of factual documents relating to the defence, withheld by the CPS on the spurious grounds of 'Public Interest Immunity', the entire police case against Ishtiaq is centred on one statement which without, the police admit, there is no case to answer. Four statements previously made by the main prosecution witness did not implicate Ishtiaq. It is only the fifth statement, overturning everything previously attested under oath, that incriminates him. Significantly at committal hearings, this key witness swore on oath that the 5th statement was untrue. Again, this has been ignored.

A female witness for Ishtiaq was subjected to severely oppressive methods of questioning inducing her to tell falsehoods about him. This witness successfully complained about the intimidation and this led to the officer concerned being formally disciplined, but crucially this complaint lay 4 years unacted upon and when finally admitted to be genuine was never disclosed to the PCA. Worse, the CPS continue to hold onto 53 documents which Ishtiaq believes prove conclusively that the police fabricated evidence against him. The 'public interest immunity' referred to by the CPS is that the police are lying but the 'public interest' will not be served by the public hearing about it! The DI in charge of the police prosecution actually bought and sent a huge bouquet of flowers to the witness who went back on her first four clear statements.

Letters of support to Ishtiaq Ahmed WV2288, HM Prison, Cambridge Road, Horfield, Bristol BS7 8PS.

Michael Shawn Barnes

The USA over the last decade has embarked on a programme of incarcerating its youth in adult facilities and in bootcamps. This is the answer to social problems created by capitalism that the U.S. political state proposes. In addition , various states in North America have passed legislation allowing courts to try children and teenagers for capital crimes for which they can receive the death penalty. At present a 13 year old boy who is mentally retarded awaits execution in Alabama's electric chair. He is falsely convicted of murder. His name is Michael Shawn Barnes and he is kept in harsh conditions on Alabama's death row and fed a poor diet. He needs our support urgently.

Please write to: Alabama Governor Fob James Jr.
State Capitol N-104
600 Dexter Avenue
Montgomery, Alabama 36130, USA.
Voice your outrage! You might mention Michael's age and mental retardation.