No one thought I was guilty, says the former sub-postmasterpublished at 15:45 Greenwich Mean Time November 5
image source, Dewi LewisDewi Lewis received the letter quashing his conviction two days after he married his partner, Mags
MPs are hearing more horror stories this afternoon, including those of Dewi Lewis, who ran a shop and post office in Penrhyndeudraeth, North Wales.
He was a county councilor and told MPs he believes he was accused of theft because he had a high profile and it would be “front page news”.
Lewis pleaded guilty to try to reduce his sentence, but ended up spending three months in jail in 2011, which he said was devastating, especially having to watch his parents visit him there.
After leaving prison, he returned to running his shop until he retired earlier this year.
He says he became dependent on medication to “get by”, describing himself as a “virtual recluse”, and only received the letter quashing his conviction in August this year.
Despite his ordeal, Lewis says he still feels “lucky” to have the support of his community, family and friends. “Nobody thought I was guilty,” he says.
But the process of getting his compensation hasn’t been smooth.
His first interim payment was delayed due to a mix-up with a reference number and finally arrived last week.
“The miracle of a select committee,” replied chairman Liam Byrne.
Lewis decided to accept the £600,000 take-it-or-leave-it offer because he didn’t have the fight left in him to go for more.
