23/08/2024

Liz Stockdale's story: From Breaking Point to Justice Over Horizon Scandal Injustice

Liz's story

Background

My career within the Post Office started in 2014. I took over Sandsacre Post Office in Bridlington when the previous owner no longer wanted it.

Before launching, we had the whole shop redecorated and I made sure to complete my Post Office training. However, upon starting, the problems immediately began occurring.

Initially, my first rollover was wrong, and even though I still had the Post Office 'trainers' with me, they put it down to ‘beginner’s mistakes’. These ‘mistakes’ became worse, and things were pretty grim for a long time. Phone calls to the help desk were a regular occurrence, and before we knew it, years had gone by with nothing resolved.

Breaking Point

My life became increasingly miserable, and I received no help from the Post Office. All I was told from the organisation was that “I was the only one”. At this point there was approximately £28,000 unaccounted for.

Upon breaking point, I phoned the 'helpline' in April 2016 and told them there was money missing. In the meantime, I heard about the campaign Sir Alan Bates was building, and saw an advert about Freeths and how the firm could help postmasters in my position.

When I got the inevitable audit the following month, they closed me down with immediate effect, so I quickly called Freeths – it was best decision I ever made!

Consequences

All of this had a massive impact on mine and my families’ lives. I feel if I hadn't had the Freeths team on my side, things would have been far worse.

I was one of the six postmasters who went to court in the first instance and Freeths helped me through it all. The team was patient and knowledgeable and I would recommend using them in a heartbeat. I have had dealings with numerous lawyers within Freeths over the years throughout my whole ordeal and the support has been second to none. Now, I would even class one of them as a friend.

I feel in my heart of hearts, if I had not had Freeths to help me through all of this, I would have probably been convicted of something I didn't do – and things would have been much worse.

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Are you eligible for the Horizon compensation scheme?

Are you, or do you know someone, affected by a Post Office Horizon-related conviction?

In May 2024, the government passed legislation quashing convictions for up to 950 individuals affected by the Post Office Horizon scandal. We are here to support victims and help them secure the compensation they are entitled to.

Find out more & check if you are eligible

Are you eligible for the Horizon compensation scheme?

Are you, or do you know someone, affected by a Post Office Horizon-related conviction? Please get in touch for free and confidential advice. Freephone: 0800 048 5205

Sir Alan Bates on why to choose Freeths?

"I feel in my heart of hearts, if I had not had Freeths to help me through all of this, I would have probably been convicted of something I didn't do – and things would have been much worse."

Liz Stockdale

“It has taken a long time to get to this point, but now is the opportunity for all eligible people to come forward, clear your names and seek financial redress. So, I urge and recommend that you contact Freeths to check your eligibility and pursue your claims.

Freeths, through its work on the GLO and the GLO Compensation Scheme, has a deep understanding of the issues affecting sub-postmasters and those who have worked in Post Office branches, and will offer the support needed to guide you through the process.”

Sir Alan Bates

Acknowledgments

"A first-class and extremely competent firm that came to the aid of a major victims' group when all else had failed to expose the truth and when ju...
Sir Alan Bates
“We remain focused on achieving full and fair compensation for the postmasters who we acted for in the successful high court proceedings. The Hori...
James Hartley
Partner & National Head of Dispute Resolution
“It has taken a long time to get to this point, but now is the opportunity for all eligible people to come forward, clear your names and seek finan...
Sir Alan Bates