PETER Holland is no angel. The former security firm boss from Skewsby, near Easingwold, spent time in prison for arson and perverting the course of justice.

He is probably not the kind of man you would invite to tea with your granny.

That is not the point, however. It is one of the marks of a civilised society that justice is for everyone, rich or poor, good or bad. And it is hard not to conclude that British justice has failed Peter Holland.

While out on parole from his three-year sentence for arson, Mr Holland was arrested and charged with raping a woman.

After a five-day hearing, he was found not guilty. A jury heard convincing evidence of his innocence. Even the daughter of his alleged victim testified on his behalf.

Despite being cleared, however, Mr Holland is back in jail and does not know when he will be released. The reason? The alleged sexual assaults of which he was cleared happened while he was on parole.

The case does seem to have exposed a fundamental flaw in our justice system.

The Parole Board is within its rights to "recall" prisoners to serve out the remainder of their original sentence if they break the conditions of their release. A judge can recall a prisoner if he or she is convicted of a new crime.

But Mr Holland was cleared. And top justice campaigner Dr Paul Mason said today his case went against the tradition of "innocent until proven guilty".

Mr Holland's solicitor is appealing, but that could take weeks. For the sake of British justice, this case must now be dealt with as quickly as possible, and Mr Holland released.

Updated: 10:23 Tuesday, April 18, 2006