This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/london/7559026.stm

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Stagg wins £700,000 compensation Stagg wins £700,000 compensation
(about 1 hour later)
The man wrongly accused and later cleared of the murder of Rachel Nickell in 1992 has told the BBC that he has been awarded £706,000 in compensation. The man wrongly accused of the murder of Rachel Nickell in Wimbledon in 1992 has won £706,000 in compensation.
Colin Stagg, 44, confirmed the payout to the BBC's Crimewatch programme. Colin Stagg, 44, who was cleared of the killing in 1994, said: "What pleases me even more than the money, is that this is effectively a public apology."
Ms Nickell, 23, was stabbed 49 times in a frenzied daylight attack on Wimbledon Common in front of her child. Ms Nickell, 23, was stabbed 49 times in a frenzied attack on Wimbledon Common in front of her two-year-old son.
Mr Stagg was cleared of any involvement in the killing in 1994. Robert Napper, 41, was charged with Ms Nickell's murder last year and is awaiting trial. Robert Napper, 41, was charged with the former model's murder in November last year and is awaiting trial.
Mr Stagg's lawyer Alex Tribick said the payout from the Home Office was set by an independent assessor, Lord Brennan.Mr Stagg's lawyer Alex Tribick said the payout from the Home Office was set by an independent assessor, Lord Brennan.
Mr Stagg, of Roehampton, south-west London, was acquitted of the murder when the judge threw out the case on the grounds police had used a "honey trap" plot to encourage him to confess.Mr Stagg, of Roehampton, south-west London, was acquitted of the murder when the judge threw out the case on the grounds police had used a "honey trap" plot to encourage him to confess.
This is an offer that has been made and that offer has been accepted Alex Tribick Lie detector
The case was widely seen as a low point in the recent history of the Metropolitan Police. In a brief statement to reporters on Wednesday, Mr Stagg said the payout was like "winning the lottery" and added that he thought his solicitor was joking when he told him the news.
Mr Stagg, who lived nearby and who walked his dog on the common, spent 13 months in custody. "A lot of wild figures have been bandied about, but what I wanted more than money was for people in the street to realise they got it wrong about me," Mr Stagg said.
He always maintained his innocence and later passed a lie detector test. Rachel Nickell, a former model, was killed in front of her two-year-old son
Mr Tribick said the payment would help his client to "try and rebuild his life".Mr Tribick said the payment would help his client to "try and rebuild his life".
He said the offer was made in a letter from the Office of Criminal Justice Reform following an application for compensation.He said the offer was made in a letter from the Office of Criminal Justice Reform following an application for compensation.
Mr Tribick explained Lord Brennan had submitted a "carefully considered and reasoned" 70-page document supporting the award.Mr Tribick explained Lord Brennan had submitted a "carefully considered and reasoned" 70-page document supporting the award.
Mr Tribick added: "This is an offer that has been made and that offer has been accepted." The case was widely seen as a low point in the recent history of the Metropolitan Police.
Mr Stagg, who lived nearby and who walked his dog on the common, spent 13 months in custody.
He always maintained his innocence and later passed a lie detector test.