'Robocop' serving life for murder lodges appeal to clear his name
A MAN serving life for a gangland killing has lodged an appeal to quash his sentence amid what his solicitor has called as "serious worries" over his murder conviction.
Mark 'Robocop' Dorling, from Croydon, was jailed for 25 years in 2006 after being found guilty of stabbing bouncer Aaron Chapman to death.
But now after six years behind bars, the 44-year-old has submitted his appeal to the courts, claiming he is innocent of the murder and was set up.
His solicitor Chris Bowan, from Wells Burcombe Solicitors in St Albans, said: "There is not too much I can say at the moment but I am assisting Mr Dorling.
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"There are a number of issues and serious worries that have arisen that we have submitted in paperwork to be reviewed.
"I myself have done a lengthy investigation and the case has come under rigorous scrutiny and I believe there are arguable grounds.
"It is now a case of waiting."
During his trial, The Old Bailey heard that Dorling had stabbed Mr Chapman 14 times to the head, face and body, and left him to bleed to death at his flat in Goossens Close, Sutton.
Dorling's legal team submitted his appeal to the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) on March 12 featuring an overview of the case as well as a number of exhibits of evidence.
And in several letters to the Advertiser, Dorling has spoken of his "frustration" at spending years behind bars for a crime he claims he did not commit.
He wrote: "I am extremely frustrated, verging on depression over the complete lack of action by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) despite my numerous letters to them.
"Let me be clear, I was not present when Mr Chapman was murdered.
"The real story is withholding of evidence from defendants in criminal proceedings, and why no one is ever held to account.
I will not go away or tire in my quest for justice."
And Mark's family are also keeping their fingers crossed that the appeal is successful.
Sister Sharon said: "Mark is the most loveable guy you could ever wish to meet. He would give you his last fiver.
"We just want him home now, we know he is innocent and will support him every step of the way."
Comments
by Ivor_Shed
Sunday, April 15 2012, 1:34PM
“His solicitor Chris Bowan said "I myself have done a lengthy investigation and the case has come under rigorous scrutiny and I believe there are arguable grounds. It is now a case of waiting."
.................and hoping that the legal aid holds out?”
by waitaphobia
Friday, April 13 2012, 1:24PM
“Don't know about "most lovable guy you could ever meet" as when I knew him was wired on steroids, intimidated alot of people and his name was associated with a lot of severe beatings including leaving a low-life-wannabe-gangster for dead in a carpark outside the back of his then girlfriend's who subsequently died a few months later (altho I'd nearly shake his hand for that one!)
However, I personally found him to be relatively intelligent (compared to his girlfriends and associates) in the few conversations I had with him and hope that he can leave that life behind him and make better for himself .. Wish you well Mark.”