In February 2016 we published a post about Mark Pearson, a talented modern artist. Whilst walking through Waterloo station he brushed briefly past a 60-something film actress, who later claimed he’d sexually assaulted her. Despite the lack of evidence against him, and CCTV footage which showed to any sane person that the alleged attack could not possibly have been carried out, charges were brought against him. It was one of the most vicious show trials of men brought by the CPS in recent years. The jury took little time to find him innocent of the charge.

Mark is made of strong stuff. Few who watched his talk, ‘Facing my Waterloo’ at ICMI16 – the video (39:11) is here – will forget it. We were all very moved.

Mark recently launched a £125,000 crowdfunder, Mark of Innocence, to raise funds to take legal actions against those responsible. It’s well worth watching the video and the whole of the description. The start of the description:

My name is Mark Pearson. In 2015 I was arrested after being falsely accused of an impossible sex crime at Waterloo Station in London. CCTV images clearly showed I was innocent. Unbelievably, I was charged, even though there was no evidence other than the false allegation against me, and I was put on trial last year. The jury took only 90 minutes to find me not guilty. I now hold the police force who tried to frame me to account, and the Crown Prosecution Service who colluded with them. A successful IPCC complaint by Barnett Survivors Limited instigated a new investigation and this is helping to build a legal case against those responsible. Something has gone wrong with the way the police and the Crown Prosecution Service are assessing such allegations generally and it’s time somebody challenged them. My personal funds are limited though, so if you could contribute in any way I would be very grateful. But this isn’t just for me, it is for ALL victims of false allegations, whoever and wherever they are.

It then goes on to a statement by Erin Pizzey:

I am putting my heart and soul behind this campaign to raise funds for Mark to fight the CPS and the police. All of us can use this unique opportunity to stop the epidemic of false accusations that the CPS & police use to deny the human rights and fair treatment of those unjustly accused.

We urge you to donate what you can towards Mark’s crowdfunder. As Erin points out, this is a unique opportunity. Let’s not waste it. Thanks.

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