Grieving dad tells of his horror and heartache
'I saw son after autopsy. His brain was removed, his eyes popped out, his teeth protruded. That's what we got back'
SOBBING dad Lloyd Chapman gasped in horror as he stared at the lifeless body of his beloved boy.
His beautiful son Michael, just 16, had been punched and kicked to death by a callous thug.
He'd taken his final breath cradled in his brother's arms.
Now, after an autopsy, the boy's battered body lay before his devastated dad.
It was a scene no parent should ever have to face.
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Face etched with pain, brave dad Lloyd recalled: "He'd had his brain removed, and his head hadn't been put back right. His eyes were popping out and his teeth were protruding.
"I don't care if it upsets people - that's what I got back. That's what the killer did to my son."
But incredibly monster Lee Cowie is FREE after just a year - and back swaggering around the streets.
His voice charged with emotion, Lloyd added: "Michael's killer is out, head held high because of his street-cred after taking a life, and it's us left with the life sentences."
Punched
Speaking candidly about his family's grief, his story stunned the latest News of the World Save Our Streets Roadshow - in Ilford, east London.
It was hosted by radio and TV presenter Nick Ferrari and the panel included former Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, Shadow Justice Secretary Dominic Grieve, Birds Of A Feather star Linda Robson, A&E consultant Dr Helen Salter and Met Police Commander Gary Copson.
They heard of Michael's last moments as he walked home with older brother David and their girlfriends across playing fields in Sittingbourne, Kent, one fateful night in June 2006.
Lloyd recalled: "Michael was such a beautiful lad. On the night he died he had cleaned the house. He was Hoovering mad. I remember as he left he said, 'See you later'. The next time I saw him was when I went to see his dead body."
Cowie, then 18, set upon Michael simply because he was good-looking and popular, a hushed 100-strong audience heard on Tuesday.
Lorry driver Lloyd, 52, continued: "Michael was punched in the back of the neck. It burst a main artery and he lay on the floor dying. The offender then, in his own words, 'toe bunged' him as hard as he could in the head. My son died in his brother's arms."
Cowie was found not guilty of murder and given just four years for manslaughter at a young offenders' institute.
But because of time on remand and only having to complete half his sentence he was freed in June 2008 - after serving just a year.
Lloyd, who has since set up an anti-violence campaign and annual walk in memory of his son, raged: "The killer heard what sentence he'd got and just laughed. He had a year in a holiday camp but we don't have a life any more."
Holding up a picture of his son's headstone, Lloyd told how wife Sue visits Michael's grave three times a day, the last to say goodnight to her boy.
He continued: "Michael is buried in the church next door. I visit him every day to say sorry. There's not a day that goes by that I don't cry because I feel like I let him down - I wasn't there to protect him."
Lloyd's harrowing story was one of many to emerge in a night of raw emotion as our anti-crime roadshow reached east London.
Speaker after speaker shared experiences of how street violence had touched their lives as former Home Secretary Jacqui Smith praised our crusade and urged: "We can make a change together."
TV actress Linda Robson sobbed as she told how teenage son Louis cradled his dying best pal Ben Kinsella, 16, after he was stabbed 11 times.
She said: "A minor scuffle broke out as they were leaving a disco. Ben had nothing to do with it. He was walking away but three boys attacked him. We taught our kids to leave at the first sign of trouble. But it doesn't stop them being attacked or hunted down."
The three killers got life for murdering Ben - brother of ex- EastEnders star Brooke - in Islington, north London, last year.
Speaking about the effect the tragedy had on her family, Linda, 51, admitted she'd considered leaving London, her lifelong home.
But in defiance she added: "This is happening everywhere and we need to stop it."
Local A&E consultant Dr Helen Salter said stabbings were just the tip of the iceberg.
She added: "I've seen 14-year- olds who've been punched as they walked home, people who've been bottled on a Friday night . . . the numbers are enormous."
Tory MP Dominic Grieve called for more cops on the street but added everyone had a responsibility for today's youth. "Our failure as a society to try and moderate children's behaviour is one of the reasons they get out of control.
"It's a huge problem and there are no easy solutions to it."
Additional reporting: Jennifer Wiley, Tom Latchem and Rowena Wilcox.
Monster knifed my lad in heart
TEENAGER Kashif Mahmood died after being stabbed in the heart with a six-inch flick-knife.
Sickeningly, friends of the vile killer filmed the attack - which happened following a row with another teenager over a girl - on their MOBILES.
Kashif's mum Parvin told how her family had been "ripped apart" after the 16-year-old was killed four years ago in an underpass just streets away from Ilford Community Centre - where our roadshow took place.
Parvin, 44, said: "I have two children and a two-year-old baby who have to grow up without their big brother.
"Kash's killer got 12 years . . . he should have been locked away for longer. The police are still looking for another teenager involved.
"The pain and suffering stays with you forever. There's nothing worse than seeing your child in a mortuary.Only someone who's suffered the same pain as you can understand what it's like."
CAMPAIGNER Wilson Chowdhry is raising funds for a £20,000 Peace Monument in Ilford for those who have lost someone to street crime.
Cowardly thugs by brave Zoe, 13
PLUCKY 13-year-old Zoe Sainty drew the biggest applause by branding knife-wielding thugs COWARDS.
Zoe, who lives in Walthamstow on one of East London's toughest estates, declared: "What's the point in wasting your life forever when you can have a fantastic life?"
She is no stranger to seeing youth violence in her neighbourhood where gangs are rife.
Mum Samantha has kept Zoe, and sister Rhiannon, nine, out of trouble by involving them in sports projects such as A-Star Global, backed by footballer Emile Heskey. Zoe said: "It's a much better way to spend your time than being in gangs."
A-Star founder Kenny Bonsu said: "We should put more money into sports projects that keep kids off the streets."
This article has 35 comments
take away the pleasures that prisoners have and make prison's a place where you do NOT want to end up in,,,, thats the first problem,,, secondly you get more time in prison these days for using a politiacally incorrect word. JUSTICE, the UK goverment don't know the meaning of the word.
MORE POLICE ON THE STREETS AND ON FOOT PATROL IS WHAT WE NEED.
Take some of the money that you overly pay yourselves each year and plough it straight into policing this county.
By katie. Posted October 6 2009 at 6:53 PM.
HERE HERE TO HOWARD TAYLOR
OTHER THAN SACKING ALL LAWS AND RENEWING THEM SO THE VICTIM IS PRIORITY NUMBER 1 AN NOT THE CRIMINAL,,,,,,,, IT TAKES A COMMUNITY TO STAND UP TO THESE LOW LIFE'S THAT CALL THEMSELVES HUMAN BEINGS,
BRING BACK A DECENTS JUSTICE SYSTEM THAT ACTUALLY SERVES UP JUSTICE.
By KATIE. Posted October 6 2009 at 6:48 PM.
Last night i attended the Leeds campaign - "save our streets". What is the point in even having a justice system, lets be fair living in prison is pure luxury!!! These so called "thugs" live a much better life inside which is why most of them comit such crimes again. Why is it that when someone comits a crime for example, GBH and they are allowed out on bail? why is this allowed, it is clear that this person is a dangerous person why are they allowed back into our community to commit again? In my case, my brother was voilently assaulted leaving him with permanent brain damage this THUG who did this was on bail at the time for also causing another person permanent brain damage and one more with a fractured skull and a broken jaw? how is this allowed! What justice system is this? And what sentence did he receive... a shocking 9 months purely because he was 16! Scum! People such as these politicians don't experience half of this because they are sheltered in their luxury life in there nice cars, nice areas, nice houses! they don't know what this country wants. We need real people, people who have experienced crime!
By Julie.B. Posted July 22 2009 at 12:45 PM.
Bring back hanging then it would free up space in our prison's.No then put them in a plane and when they are over the north sea open the door and throw them out with a parachute after them.
geordie.
By thomas carr. Posted July 18 2009 at 10:22 PM.
Putting REAL criminals away takes hard work - something the bully-boy police will always avoid when they can make their monthly "points quota" by nicking motorists for doing 33mph. As for politician, the last honest man to enter the houses of parliament was Guy Fawkes !
By AP. Posted July 17 2009 at 3:22 AM.
Bring back Alcatraz. or similar. Thats whats needed in this modern day society. Not human rights,and health and safety. What about the victims human rights and the grieving family left behind.Our justice system is a joke. Too afraid of upsetting people. Or someone says you can't do that. I say why not, the thugs do it.
By Hazel. Posted July 15 2009 at 9:42 AM.
Bring back National Service - give all school leavers a bit of respect.
Life should mean life - we have just come back from USA on hols and life there means 99 years - enough said!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am seriously thinking of leaving the Country as my Son will be going to senior school in 3 years and there is no way on earth I am letting that happen in this country. I am sick to death of living in this country where the Gov no longer seem to do anything for anyone.
I am only 35yrs old and can not believe what a change has happened in the last 15 years..
By Marianne Lee. Posted July 14 2009 at 6:56 PM.
British justice has become a joke. What has it come to when a young lad is so cruelly beaten to death and his poor father has to witness the savagery first hand ? As if that`s not bad enough, then there`s the injustice of this thug being released back onto the streets after just one year. What the hell is going on ???!!! Our kids are not safe and the government is almost laughing in our faces with their petty punishments. Mindless and needless violence is becoming almost acceptable - and yes we should be worried - and yes we need to take action. LET`S START BY GETTING RID OF THIS USELESS GOVERNMENT WHO CARE ONLY ABOUT LINING THEIR POCKETS AND DO NOT GIVE A DAMN ABOUT YOUNG LADS SUCH AS THIS ONE WHO`S LIVES HAVE BEEN TAKEN BY SOME WASTER WHO KNOWS BEFORE HE EVEN DOED THE DEED THAT HE`S GOING TO GET AWAY WITH IT ! IT MAKES MY BLOOD BOIL THAT FAMILIES ARE SUFFERING THE WAY THIS ONE IS, BECAUSE THEY HAVE LOST A GOOD LAD IN SUCH A CRUEL WAY - IT`S TIME TO KICK SOME ASS - SO LET`S STAND TOGETHER - DO IT - AND TAKE BACK OUR STREETS !!
By LANA. Posted July 12 2009 at 11:56 PM.
The French used to have "Devils Island" - a prison camp far,far away that only a few prisoners came back from.
We don't need to bring back the death penalty - we need to finally utilise the Falklands Islands and set up prison camps there for these killer thugs.They could do a nice long stretch well out of the way.
To satisfy the bleeding hearts who would inevitably protest - Mum and Dad could ring them up on a video link for 3 minutes a month (at their own expense).
Needless to say the harsh conditions would probably take their toll.
But the sweetest music to all our ears would be these thugs pleading NOT to be sent to the Falklands.Then we would know that the fear element was back where it belonged - in the hearts and minds of the killers.
Bringing back transportation? It might prick the consciences of the middle-class liberals safe in their expensive outer suburban homes but it would work fine for the rest of us a treat.
By Chris Davies . Posted July 12 2009 at 9:58 PM.
It seems to me the the only answer to this rise in violent crime is the forming of vigilante groups to dispense true justice. If the judiciary will not do this we the British public who care must get involved and clean up our streets.
By howard taylor. Posted July 12 2009 at 9:55 PM.
Chief Justice Lord Devlin once said "the death penalty deters crime". Remember, with the death penalty there are NO repeat offenders.
These gang scumbags should hang! Case closed!
By Sloaneranger. Posted July 12 2009 at 9:33 PM.
I agree with person above, the Government members deserve to have this crime committed to one of their family/loved ones then they actually might step up and do something about it, until that happens its unlikely to have a impact on them. It is easy to dismiss violent crimes until if effects you personally!!!!!!! Should it ever happen " we might see a change" unfortunately they do not have the same worries as every ordinary mother and father in Britain because they can hire body guards!!!!!!! I dont think something like this would ever happen to Blairs son or any other member of Parliment........... Do you?????????
By Ang Han. Posted July 12 2009 at 6:51 PM.
Well that's british justice for you, the attackers always come out on top and those who are left behind are the victims.
As for young Zoe, well done girl you are a credit to youngsters everyhwhere.
By Bonnieb. Posted July 12 2009 at 6:49 PM.
while i agree with most points posted nothing is going to change.This goverment has brought this country to its knees and what are we doing? nothing apart from whingining and letting them away with its time to make a stand but i cant see that happening
By jackie. Posted July 12 2009 at 6:15 PM.
Labour are part of the problem not the solution. Tough on crime. What a bunch of liars!
By steve tea. Posted July 12 2009 at 4:38 PM.
i am with steve on this one. send offenders to afghanistan to do something worthwile. The prison system is embarassing. Far too easy, prison should be a room with a sink toilet bed, thats it. nothing more. sky tv in prison, us taxpayers are paying for that, makes my stumoach turn.
By gareth. Posted July 12 2009 at 4:23 PM.
We need a real life dexter to sort these scumbags out
By Beaver. Posted July 12 2009 at 2:46 PM.
I have been reading about your save our streets campaign and it has highlighted to me that it is not only my family that is targeted by scum that have nothing better to do with their time but attack, harass, stock and threaten innocent hard working tax paying families with young children. These people have driven my two young children from there primary school they set a very large aggressive dog on my six year old daughter ,tried to run my sister down with a car and even had the nerve to come to my home to look in my windows to terrorize my family some more and that’s only some of the incidents that have occurred. I have had these people charged even taken interdicts out yet we still live in this nightmare, as these people know the legal system better than any police officer or solicitor and what loop hole they can slither trough and well at the end of the day lets face it what do these people have to loose nothing and they even get full legal aid giving them access to the best solicitors to help them, so what is one more charge onto their already extensive criminal record to them nothing well lets face it what is the worse that can happen to them they get put in jail possibly yet again to live at our expense rent free with meals provided like an all inclusive holiday for them, well families like mine are left destroy and traumatizes . When is there going to be help for use the victims
By VM. Posted July 12 2009 at 2:03 PM.
If you get life in prison you get life in prison, if you get 8 years in prison you do 8 years, no time off for good behaviour only TIME ADDED ON for bad behaviour. The judges should speak to the family and friends to hear what the crime has done to their family and they should ask them what sort of sentence they would like as a punishment and the judge should then take that into account. More help for the victims and the victims families and less help for the criminals themselves. If there is a shortage of prison places then build more prisons, I'm sure victims families and ordinary citizens would be willing to help build them and build them quickly. Lets give the streets and estates back to ordinary, honest hard working people and their decent children. No more pussy footing around. More power to the people and not the yobs.
By Karen 51. Posted July 12 2009 at 12:59 PM.
is this really any worse than it has been before though?
people get murdered in every society in the world, it's an unfortunate aspect of human nature that goes beyond governments etc etc
By come on. Posted July 12 2009 at 12:57 PM.
I must admit I,ve been to prison a few times in my my younger yrs although always for theft to fund a drug habbit I had at that time in my life. We were treated no differently to people that were in for violent crimes we just reached softer prisons quicker! Me I never served more than 9 months but believe me when I tell you I had more in prison than I'd ever had out here,matching quilt + curtains, key to my door,TV with digital channels,3 good meals each day, a job and wages all in all it was very comfortable definatley nothing to be scared of and all this I had in the highest security prisons. something definatley needs to be done to start to punish people who take others lives. It needs to start with the law giving out longer sentences and then with prisons having different sections to put inmates in the right department and to then treat them accordingly, with something to match their crime, hard labour with no wage would be a fantastic start I think. My love and prayers to everyone who lost someone to mindless street thugs...
By Dawn. Posted July 12 2009 at 12:48 PM.
Every single comment here reflects how I feel.Nothing will be done tho.The Human Rights Act and Jack Straw will see to that.This joke of a government has sat on its backside whilst our country has imploded.I fear its too late to reverse what has become a cultural thing.
By David. Posted July 12 2009 at 12:30 PM.
The problem is, there is no worthwhile deterrent in use which is something that should be laid fairly and squarely at the feet of Jacqui Smith, how she had the face to sit on the panel amazes me!
The answer is, no more reduced prison sentences, you serve the full amount with an equal amount running concurrent to enure good behaviour.
Bring back the old Borstal system including the wearing of uniforms, shorts and heavy polished boots. Run everywhere, eat what you're given or go without. No use of gym or pool equipment, no telephone calls, no visitors, one letter in and one out per week. Two 90 minute sessions of outdoor PT per day overseen by ex forces PTI's. If you escape, on recapture you double your sentence. Pick the bones out of that!
By Malcolm Cook. Posted July 12 2009 at 11:51 AM.
The trouble today is no discipline in the home,school ,years ago we respected the police were scared to do anything wrong for fear of getting into trouble, if we got told off at school our parents said we must have done wrong now the parents reproach teachers for telling kids off. No win no fee, no blame culture,job worths who blame Health & Safety all contribute to the society today, Prison to be punished and no rights ,if these offenders want privaliges dont do wrong and go to prison. There is no deterent.Watch the police programmes they arrest the drunks etc and what happens they get released without charge whats the point in that,might as well let them do what they like ,pubs should be the only places where drinks sold not corner shops post offices supermarkets etc ,licences applied for at magristrate courts not councils proper control.Send these knife criminals and the like to Afganistan let them get a dose of their own medicine see how brave they are then.
By Chris. Posted July 12 2009 at 11:57 AM.
Great societies die from within, not from any external force. Our is on its last legs.
There is a contract between society and its citizens. If we pay our taxes and follow the basic rules, we expect our appointed governors and law makers to protect us from criminals.
Labour (like most socialist governments) have a great distrust of 'experts' who are outside of political control. Therefore a great senior policeman, who does not tow the political line, will fare badly compared to one who is well connected with the party cadres and is 'on message'.
A friend of mine, who joined the police late in life, spent more time on courses of 'diversity' and 'homophobia' than 'catching and putting away villains'.
No wonder people are becoming attracted to the simple messages given by extreme political parties like the BNP.
By Andrew. Posted July 12 2009 at 11:28 AM.
The justice system in the UK is useless. Theft, robbery and drug dealing attracts higher penalties than murder.
By Ranticus. Posted July 12 2009 at 10:05 AM.
It's the old solution
Bring back national service
Also Send those who offend to Afganistan to do something worthwhile for a change - if their lives depend on living with disipline then they will soon buck up their ideas in life
By steve. Posted July 12 2009 at 10:08 AM.
Lets get action now. Im fed up with this going on in my country. Skum should get the sentences they deserve
By keith Humm. Posted July 12 2009 at 10:15 AM.
it makes me so angry when i read about these idiots who have no respect for life, they think nothing of killing a human being and then bragging about it with their mates. WHAT is this country coming to when it is quite obvious to us"normal" folk that when another person kills another it is is murder,and should be treated as such, people who do this are scum and should not be given the privelage of a normal life like us law abiding citizens. its about time someone got off their backside and realised that all this political correctness and treating all people as civalised human beings that all have rights is a load of crap, what about the rights of the victims hey. Its all this shite that has got us in this mess in the first place. But what brave government member is going to admit this and actually do something. This country has gone mad, and we are letting the scum get away with it. So much for being an honest, hardworking person, in whats supposed to be a "free country, its more like a "free for all". R.I.P.to ALL THOSE THAT ARE VICTIMS OF THESE HORRENDOUS CRIMES. God Bless
By JANE. Posted July 12 2009 at 10:26 AM.
babies having babies, lots of young girls only ambition in life is to get pregnant, get a flat, get paid to do nothing but sit around, go shopping with their other mates who have babies, dad's dont get involved, children grow up with no rules or just crave the attention or the feeling of belonging to something to gain the self esteem they need, so they join 'gangs'.
By katie. Posted July 12 2009 at 10:35 AM.
Why do these killers only get 12 years or 10 years. When the judge says life, you know they are going to get out in 12 - 15 years. Surely that isn't life.
These should be the sentances, all BEFORE possibilty of parole:
carrying a blade - 5 years
Murder - 30 years
Manslaughter - 20 years
By D Toft. Posted July 12 2009 at 9:19 AM.
The time has come for the decent people of Britain- the majority- to take to the sreets and demand action. This Government must go.
By Michael. Posted July 12 2009 at 9:10 AM.
I went to the Ilford roadshow and it was moving yet brilliant.
By Lydia . Posted July 12 2009 at 8:40 AM.
Laissez faire parenting, kids having no consequence for bad behaviour, discipline just a word to be found in a dictionary, sentences that are a joke.......... and we wonder why we have problems.
By Hb. Posted July 12 2009 at 1:48 AM.
Sadly, in this Blair/Brown created society, the only time anything really effective will be done is once this kind of cowardly violence affects or touches a member of a politician's family or one of their financial backers.
No one else is important enough to their continuation in power and self enrichment.
Do you believe Jack Straw would then just shrug, as he has done until now?
Before too long, street justice is going to follow street violence, and this lot will only be 'concerned' this side of the general election.
By Ken.H. Posted July 12 2009 at 12:37 AM.