'I felt so lost and helpless until I came here tonight'
We start new UK tour of our anti-violence roadshows
IT WAS a night of shared suffering. Of raw emotion. Of mourning mothers determined their murdered sons should not have died in vain.
And Sandra Maitland- who just a day earlier had stood in the Old Bailey to see her 14-year-old boy's killers convicted-summed up the bereaved parents' determination at the first of the News of the World's Save Our Streets roadshows.
"I didn't know what to expect when I came here, but I am really glad I did," she said. "I felt so helpless but this has shown me there are others like me who are suffering. We must stand united."
Brave Sandra's words-telling how her lad Shaquille cried out for her as he lay dying-echoed across the school once attended by teenager Jimmy Mizen whose slaughter in a bakery attack shocked the nation. Later the mothers of two other butchered boys-Janet Baker and Carol Martin-embraced.
There was even a Save Our Streets VICTORY for grieving mum Lynne Booker after she told Justice Secretary Jack Straw how her son's killer was on the run from a cushy open prison-but couldn't even be named for legal reasons.
And Jimmy's father Barry Mizen announced plans to establish a support group for victims' families.
Hosted by Sky News anchor Kay Burley, the panel-which also included Richard Taylor, father of murdered ten-year-old Damilola, top trauma surgeon Professor Karim Brohi, News of the World columnist Carole Malone and acting Deputy Met Police Commissioner Tim Godwin-listened intently as Sandra spoke of her loss.
Shaquille was stabbed to death yards from his home in Hackney, east London, by a teenage gang. Six youths found guilty of his murder will be sentenced next month.
Sandra, 44, said: "Sometimes I wish I did not know he was calling out for me.
"As a mum you feel you should be there to protect your children and it haunts me to think I was not there. Now it is important we stand together."
Hugged
There was a poignant moment as Janet Baker, 54, told how her son Paul, 25, died after an attack in Chiselhurst, Kent, in 2007. She revealed her frustration that no-one had been brought to justice.
"My son's killers are still walking the streets but my son can't. He's dead," she said.
As Janet spoke, Carol Martin-whose son James was stabbed to death six years ago-rose and hugged her. Then Barry Mizen echoed the unity symbolised by Janet and Carol's embrace as he announced the creation of the Families Utd website (www. familiesutd.com) leading his campaign for victims' families. He said: "We wanted something positive to come out of something tragic."
There were calls from the public for tougher sentences and for communities to reclaim their neighbourhoods. There was drama too, as Lynne Booker challenged Jack Straw over lapses that allowed the killer of her 19-year- old son Terry to abscond from prison a week ago.
Lynne, who set up a campaign group to fight for victims' families, told him: "My son's killer was put in an open prison. We begged for him not to go-but we were ignored.
"Now he's on the run with two others. I'm here scared for life and limb-we don't even know what he looks like now."
Lynne, 54, from Plumstead, south-east London, demanded to know why the killer, who was 16 when he was convicted, still couldn't be named nine years on.
Mr Straw accepted there had been failings and vowed to examine Lynne's case in detail.
As a result, our Save Our Streets campaign scored an important victory. The identification ban was lifted and killer Terry Lowe, 24-still on the run from HMP Hewell, near Redditch, West Mids, can now be named.
Richard Taylor, now the government's knife crime csar, then stunned the audience when he described the casual manner youths carry blades. "In some areas, it is just like having a pen in your pocket," he said.
And so it was time for another embrace-with Shaquille's mother Sandra stepping up to hug Richard. She said: "There is a lot of violent crime on our streets. Communities don't know where to turn."
We will fight on with our campaign until they do.
The Eltham Save Our Streets roadshow was the first of EIGHT planned across the country this summer following the success of last year's roadshows.
NEXT ROADSHOW: SOUTHAMPTON
IT is on June 25 at Upper Shirley High School, Bellemoor Road, Southampton, SO15 7QU at 7pm.
Admission is free but strictly by ticket only. For tickets, e-mail saveourstreets@notw.co.uk
This article has 9 comments
There are two problems really. One is that community cohesion is patchy. In many streets people are isolated and just don't know their neighbours. It is one of the curses of modern life that we have lost the will and the ability to build communities. Thus young people who have built communities in their gang culture will always have the upper hand.
The second factor is the refusal of government and local authorities to properly finance youth engagement and provide places to 'hang out' and places to meet people. Youth is totally on the margins of society, unless they come from middle class homes who can afford to pay for things for them to do. Government goes on about caring for youth but in reality people at the lower end of the income scale are totally overlooked. In Nottingham we are always being given promises that this or that facility will be provided but it seldom happens.
By Ivan Jacoby. Posted July 16 2009 at 3:38 PM.
Firstly to all the parents ,siblings extended family, friends of those young people whos lifes have been stolen, my sincere condolence to you all, It is time to stop with words , Gordon Brown, mps dignitries, pop stars, athelics, armed forces, police, fire brigade in working proffessions, we have to show the bigger picture, in how every stage of a persons life from birth to the final day , we a series of chapters, and experiences, make us the people we become, i deffinatley believe we need boot camps , when we identifie through our schools , police, local housing , children who are unable to conform to societ and instill value boys 14 to 18 yrs, iare the most vulnable in our society, i just wonder, if the ones who carry knifes if where shown martial arts, is a healthier way to protect your self , would sway away from the gun and knife syndrome, Oh Gordon Brown if i could sit and have a brew with you, !!!!!
By Linda Stead. Posted July 8 2009 at 12:50 PM.
Something needs 2 be done to stop more families going through what these poor families are!!!! i think it is discusting that some families r not getting any justice!!! how is it fair that these criminals are still on our streets after taking the lives of innocent people!! i think these roadshows are a gr8 idea for the families to get their voices heard! but its still not enough, these families need alot more justice than what they are getting! so many lives are destroyed by these animals so WHY are they not getting the punishment they deserve?????
By K Norman. Posted June 24 2009 at 9:29 PM.
I have read this article abd was deeply touched by the sufferng of these mum and dads must be feeling. Hopefully something can be done to bring justice for the parents of these children who were tragically taken from them. More thorough investigations and stiffer sentencing should be imposed. Those murderer should be brought to justice and made accountable for their actions. It is not fair that they can freely walk the streets and their victims cannot. So many families and lives are destroyed by these bad people.
By C Bridger. Posted June 16 2009 at 9:57 PM.
I was pleased to attend this meeting and would recommend people try to attend future events. The dignity of those affected by violence was staggering and humbling, but it is important for politicians to hear the strength of public opinion on this issue.
David Gold, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Eltham
By David Gold. Posted June 14 2009 at 8:14 AM.
Jack Straw, Justice Minister is part of the problem not the solution. How many people would be alive if it was for his department and there lack of understanding of the meaning of the word Justice. Just like Brown who doesn't understand the meaning of prudence.
By Steve Tea. Posted June 14 2009 at 8:24 AM.
i think national service should be reintroduced for 16-20yr olds,if they want to play soldiers with guns then make them do it properly,respect and discipline go hand in hand,
By boudika. Posted June 14 2009 at 7:58 AM.
Those young punks sound like the young punks in Canada. It is time, world wide, to stop trying to be justice nice to the young who commit violent crimes. Let us stop all bans which protect them. Let us name them, also name their moms & dads. Try them in adult courts and give them adult sentences. If they are old enough to commit the CRIME they are old enough to serve the TIME.
By Gerry Tilley. Posted June 14 2009 at 1:08 AM.
DO WE HAVE ANY STATISTICS OF VIOLENCE IN UK ??? ONLY DEN WE CAN LUK FORWARD TO B A PART OF THIS HOLLY TASK, JUST TRYING TO B REALISTIC....
By XYZ. Posted June 14 2009 at 12:30 AM.