Lawyers for Jeremy Bamber, who is serving life in prison for murdering his family in a gun massacre, will head to the high court tomorrow to fight for evidence they believe could help clear his name.
Key material in the case was made available to an author behind an ITV drama about the killings, but the Crown Prosecution Service refused to disclose it to his legal team, the Guardian reports.
Carol Ann Lee, who penned the book the miniseries White House Farm was based upon, posted an image on social media earlier this year of documents provided to her by Essex Police, not seen by the defence, as part of her research.
Lawyers for Jeremy Bamber, pictured, will head to the high court tomorrow to fight for evidence they believe could help clear his name
In an Instagram post which has since been deleted after a complaint from Bamber’s representatives, she wrote: ‘It was interesting to see and read all the original material.’
Bamber’s schizophrenic sister Sheila Caffell, who was found dead next to her twin sons, Daniel and Nicholas and adoptive parents June and Nevill Bamber at White House Farm at Tolleshunt D’Arcy, near Maldon, in Essex in 1985, was initially the prime suspect for the case.
But suspicion of the model, also known as Bambi, was dropped after a judge ruled it ‘inconceivable’ of her to be able to take her own life after she was found with two gunshot wounds to the neck at intervals.
Jeremy Bamber is ushered away by police, pictured, following the killings in Essex in 1985
Jeremy Bamber and girlfriend Julie Mugford at the funeral of three of his family members. after the funeral Bamber’s former teacher called police and said he had been acting
Bamber is seen above bowing his head as the coffins of Nevill and June Bamber, and Sheila are carried
However, Bamber’s lawyers reportedly discovered statements by senior officers and the police surgeon that suggest Ms Caffell only had one bullet hole – meaning there could be a possibility she could have murdered her parents.
They allege the documents were never seen by the trial jury – and since asked ITV to postpone broadcasting the drama, believing the new evidence could prove their client’s innocence.
But the silencer was later found in the gun cupboard in the house – which formed a significant part of Bamber’s conviction. He was jailed for life at Chelmsford crown court in October 1986.
Jeremy Bamber’s sister Sheila, and her children Daniel and Nicholas, pictured together, were all killed in the massacre
White House Farm at Tolleshunt D’Arcy, near Maldon, in Essex, pictured, where Bamber is alleged to have shot dead his mother, father, sister and twin nephews in August 1985
Carol Ann Lee, pictured, who penned the book the miniseries White House Farm was based upon, posted an image on social media earlier this year of documents provided to her by Essex Police, but not to the defence, as part of her research
The 59-year-old is confident certain papers from Holmes boxes – an filing system rolled out at the time to support major probes – have not been disclosed as they are all numbered.
Lee’s post included pictures of documents numbered 75/13 and 75/15, which Bamber claims to have never seen, the Guardian says.
Tomorrow’s hearing in Leeds comes after a high court judge refused to take the CPS’ decision not to share material with the defence to a judicial review.
However, the case will be fully reconsidered, supported by oral submissions by Bamber’s legal team, according to the newspaper.
Mark Newby, a solicitor advocate at Quality Solicitors Jordans, which represents him, said the row ‘raises the question of whether a work of fiction is more important than justice’.
Freddie Fox starred as Jeremy Bamber, pictured, in the ITV drama White House Farm earlier this year
Lawyers for Bamber say certain documents were never seen by the trial jury – and asked ITV to postpone broadcasting the drama, pictured, believing the new evidence could prove their client’s innocence
Bamber, speaking from Wakefield prison, told the Guardian: ‘It is disgusting that a third party was provided with documents and sensitive photographs when Essex police and the CPS have been unwilling to hand over material to our own forensic experts to prove that two silencers were recovered from the scene.
‘Despite court orders being in place for them to make full disclosure to us, which they deliberately chose to ignore, when Carol Ann Lee requested material she was given it without a second thought. Where is my justice?’
A spokesperson for Essex police said: ‘We are aware of the claim made by Jeremy Bamber and can confirm that this matter forms part of an ongoing judicial review. As this matter is therefore the subject of a forthcoming legal hearing it would not be appropriate for us to comment further.’
The CPS declined to comment.