Imprisoned Birmingham punk rocker Gary Critchley given permission to appeal prison sentence

Dec 12 2010 by Adam Aspinall, Sunday Mercury

MURDER convict Gary Critchley has taken his first step to freedom after being granted permission to apply for parole.

It is a major breakthrough for the campaign to free the 47-year-old Brummie punk rocker after 30 years behind bars for a crime he claims he did not commit.

The decision was taken by a panel of experts at a tribunal hearing last week, and means he could be free by next Christmas.

Last night Carol Coombes, head of the campaign to free him, spoke of her excitement at the news. She said: “This is a fantastic outcome, the best we could have hoped for.

“Everybody who is working so hard to free Gary and clear his name is over the moon with this news, but we realise there is still a long way to go.

“We’d like to thank everyone who has got on board the campaign for their support so far and would encourage them to get as many more people involved as they can.”

The appeal to free him has garnered support from the likes of Guildford Four member Gerry Conlon and pop band UB40.