Stockwell Six & Derek Ridgewell: Why Criminal Defence Must Fight Corruption
This week the Court of Appeal quashed convictions of Errol Campbell and Ronald De Souza – the Final two members of the infamous “Stockwell Six” – after being framed by corrupt BTP officer Det Sgt Derek Ridgewell back in the 1970s.
How it happened
Ridgewell, later jailed for theft in 1980, fabricated evidence and testimonies against young Black men, including wrongful arrest and beatings. Two decades before, his tampering helped imprison Errol Campbell in 1977 – he died in 2004, never seeing justice. Ronald De Souza’s conviction, the last remaining, was only quashed in July 2025
Why it matters for criminal defence today</2>
- Scrutinise police conduct: As defence lawyers, we must investigate officers’ backgrounds, complaints and any patterns of misconduct.
- Challenge evidence strongly: Ridgewell’s evidence was admissible for nearly half a century. Courts must be pushed to test credibility and integrity.
- Pursue miscarriages of justice: Agencies like the Criminal Cases Review Commission play a vital role – and prompt legal representation can prevent decades in prison.
Lessons learned
1. Corruption takes time to surface – but it can be uncovered.
2. Systemic racism worsens the impact – the Stockwell Six were young Black men targeted in the ‘70s.
3. Defence work is never just about arguing law – it’s about digging into evidence, investigating officers, and telling the full story.
From our perspective
As criminal defence solicitors, cases like this remind us why early intervention and relentless scrutiny of procedure and personnel are crucial. Your liberty depends not just on the law but also on how it’s applied—and who enforces it.
How can we help?
If you have concerns about the safety of any conviction, do not hesitate to contact our specialist lawyers. If you would like to discuss any aspect of your case, please call us now on 0161 477 1121 or email us if you have any questions in relation to this article.
