Breaking news: Sam Hallam murder conviction quashed

Sam Hallam’s conviction for murder has been quashed by the Court of Appeal, it was announced just minutes ago.

The ruling was expected after stirring scenes yesterday in which the prosecution abandoned their case against the appeal and Mr Hallam was released from prison on bail.

Lady Justice Hallett DBE, Mr Justice Spencer and Mr Justice Openshaw, who still insisted on hearing defence evidence yesterday, announced the decision shortly after 1pm.

Mr Hallam, now 24, had spent the last seven years in prison after being handed a life-term in 2005 for the murder of trainee chef Essayas Kasshun.

There were jubilant scenes outside the court yesterday as he walked free from prison, and today’s ruling always looked a formality.

Earlier, Mr Hallam’s mum Wendy Cohen said: “This should never have happened in the first place. It has been terrible for Sam and the family has gone through hell.”