The first convictions based on the outdated Post Office Capture software, used before the Horizon system, are now being reviewed by the Court of Appeal to determine their safety and potential for quashing, starting with Patricia Owen's case from 1998.

The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) is investigating over 30 applications related to pre-Horizon convictions, with some cases lacking sufficient documentation, and has requested all available material from the Post Office.

An independent report commissioned last year uncovered significant bugs and errors in the Capture system, which have cast doubt on the reliability of evidence used in these cases, prompting ongoing investigations.

Advocates and MPs see this development as a crucial step toward overturning wrongful convictions and addressing historic injustices related to the Post Office scandal.

The CCRC decided to refer Mrs. Owen's case in July 2024, citing her prosecution as an 'abuse of process,' and her family has expressed relief at the ongoing review.

The Post Office has committed to addressing past injustices and is cooperating with investigations by providing all relevant documents.

Mrs. Owen was sentenced to six months' imprisonment, suspended for two years, after pleading not guilty to charges involving a £6,000 shortfall, despite objections from her legal team.

Legal experts suggest that exonerating Mrs. Owen could pave the way for broader justice, potentially leading to reviews of other wrongful convictions stemming from the same flawed system.

Mrs. Owen died in 2003, but her family successfully applied for her case to be reviewed in January 2024, highlighting the lasting impact of wrongful convictions.

The Post Office has been ordered to disclose all relevant materials related to these cases, with investigations ongoing into the use of Capture evidence in prosecutions.

During her trial, an independent IT specialist's report found significant bugs in the Capture software, which her legal team dismissed at the time, raising questions about the reliability of her conviction.

The Capture software used in the 1990s contained errors and bugs that could have led to false accusations of theft, according to expert opinions and recovered evidence.

This case is seen as a 'touchstone' for other victims, as the CCRC continues to investigate over 30 similar convictions based on pre-Horizon systems, with the potential to set a precedent for justice.