AM Hallam – who was sensationally released from prison seven years after being convicted for murder – has lost a High Court appeal in his fight for compensation.Lawyers acting for Mr Hallam, who lived in Pitfield Street, near Old Street, had contested recently-introduced legislation that prevents miscarriage of justice victims from receiving state payouts unless they can prove their innocence “beyond reasonable doubt”.Mr Hallam walked free from the Court of Appeal in 2013 after his conviction for the murder of Essayas Kassahun in Clerkenwell in 2004 was found to be “unsafe” and was quashed.Despite spending almost eight years in prison, he will not receive a penny, judges ruled on Monday.Paul May, chairman of the Sam Hallam Defence Campaign, said: “This is a sad day for justice and the presumption of innocence. We hope the Court of Appeal will overturn this judgment.

• Keywords
  MURDER, COURTS (LEGAL), JUSTICE (ADMINISTRATION OF)
• Geographical keyword
  CLERKENWELL, PITFIELD STREET
• Persons keyword
  Sam Hallam, Court of Appeal