Ian Botham backs bid to free man convicted of stabbing love rival to death

05 July 2023 , 17:44

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Botham knew Moore before he was jailed (Image: SWNS)

Cricket legend Ian Botham says a man in jail for murder was wrongly convicted.

Jason Moore, now 53, was imprisoned for the 2005 stabbing of his love rival Robert Darby.

Moore fled the UK after the killing outside a pub in East London, returning in 2012 to clear his name. He said he was there, but in a car.

A witness who was drunk when he saw the killing did not recognise a photo of Moore weeks later.

But he picked Moore out of a line-up in 2012. Moore was jailed for life in 2013. His family, backed by Darby’s, have submitted an appeal to the Criminal Cases Review Commission.

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Lord Botham said: “I am 100 per cent behind the campaign to free Jason. Let’s get the big lad out.”

Jailed Jason Moore (Phil Harris)

Sir Ian knew Moore, a passionate cricket fan from Canary Wharf, east London before he was jailed.

Supporters of the campaign to free Moore have staged two protests outside the Royal Courts of Justice, demanding his release.

Now Ashes legend Sir Ian has added his support.

The former England captain said: “I’ve known Jason for a good few years through our love of cricket and sport in general.

“He looks to be the victim of a miscarriage of justice and his case needs reinvestigating.”

Sir Ian was knighted in 2007 by Queen Elizabeth II and appointed to the House of Lords in 2020 by Boris Johnson. He is the government’s trade envoy to Australia.

Stephen Beech