Shrewsbury 24, including Liverpool star Ricky Tomlinson win case to clear their name

'It is a sorry day for British justice'.

That's the reaction of Royle Family star RickyTomlinson after he along with trade union colleagues who were convicted for picketing nearly 50 years ago, have won a bid to clear their names at the Court of Appeal.

In a statement after the ruling, the Liverpool actor, who was sentenced to two years in jail for conspiracy to intimidate and affray, said:

"Whilst it is only right that these convictions are overturned, the reality is we should never have been standing in the dock!

Who were the Shrewsbury 24?

They were 24 trade unionists who picketed during the 1972 national builders' strike. They were charged with offences including unlawful assembly, conspiracy to intimidate and affray for picketing, with 22 of them convicted.

What did they argue?

Lawyers representing 14 of the Shrewsbury 24, including Ricky Tomlinson, argued the destruction of original witness statements means their convictions are unsafe.

They also argued a documentary aired during the trial may have influenced the jury.

What happened at the Court of Appeal?

On Tuesday morning, the Court of Appeal allowed the appellants' challenge to their convictions.

Announcing the decision at the Royal Courts of Justice in London, Lord Justice Fulford said: "These 14 appeals against conviction are allowed across the three trials and on every extant count which the 14 appellants faced."

The judge added: "It would not be in the public interest to order a retrial."