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Justice for Ivan Fergus campaign

01 July 1992

Ivan Fergus is a 14-year old black youth who was arrested on his way to school in Peckham, south London, following an attack on a man a month earlier. He was convicted of assault and is currently serving fifteen months at Orchard Lodge, a local 'secure' children's unit.

The only evidence against Ivan was the victims identification of him, but serious doubts have been raised concerning it. Immediately after the attack he told police that his attacker was 5ft 11in tall of slightly brown complexion with stubble on his face. He was 16-18 years of age. Ivan is described by his mother as 5ft 7in with a dark complexion; he was only 13 and had not started shaving. He also has an alibi. At the time of the assault he says he was with school friends at a leisure centre several miles from Peckham. None of his friends was interviewed by police before the trial.

Mrs Fergus said: "How could this happen when the description of the attacker didn't fit that of my son, when there was no evidence to support the charge and when Ivan continually protested his innocence and had an alibi?"

Justice for Ivan Fergus Campaign: 192 Evelyn Street, London SE8 5DB or telephone 081 692 1308.