Lack of victims' rights in new Bill ‘outrageous', says Barnaby Webber's mother
The Victims and Courts Bill, which is currently passing through the Commons, will give victims no statutory right to be told about decisions affecting the detention, leave or discharge of their offenders with its current provisions, according to national charity Hundred Families.
Discretion of the information will be left to hospital managers and probation services instead, with victims having no legal right to be informed, carry out a consultation or appeal any decisions.
Valdo Calocane, who had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, killed 19-year-old students Barnaby and Grace O'Malley-Kumar and 65-year-old caretaker Ian Coates before attempting to kill three other people, in a spate of attacks in the city in June 2023.
He was sentenced to an indefinite hospital order in January last year after admitting manslaughter by diminished responsibility and attempted murder.
A judge-led public inquiry into the decisions made prior to the attacks was announced in February and is due to take place later this year.
Emma Webber said the Bill would be 'a betrayal of every victim who has already been failed by this system' if it was passed into law in its current form.
'This must not happen. It is utterly outrageous that the Government would even contemplate this,' she said.
'So egregious are the failings by every single agency involved in every aspect of our tragedy that a statutory public inquiry is under way.
'A significant part of the inquiry will focus on the failings of 'hospital managers' and 'clinicians' who failed to do their jobs properly. Resulting in the monster who killed my beautiful child be allowed to roam the streets and hide in plain sight.'
Ms Webber continued: 'Why has the Government chosen to include us as families in the proposals for the mental health bill, revision of our homicide laws and even the 10-year plan but conveniently chosen to ignore us on what is probably the one that will affect us the most?'
Campaigners have called on victims minister Alex Davies-Jones to amend the Bill by guaranteeing all victims have the right to be consulted, receive necessary information and be informed of key decisions, and to create a formal appeal process when information is denied.
Julian Hendy, founder of Hundred Families, said the Bill as it stands was 'not just a loophole, it's a kick in the teeth' for bereaved families and victims.
She said: 'We are talking about offenders who have been convicted of the most serious of crimes, which cause extreme concern amongst the public.
'This is not about punishment. It's about basic fairness, compassion, and transparency. Victims and their families should not be shut out of decisions that affect their personal safety and recovery.
'We have a lamentably long track record in our country of ignoring victims of serious crime. That has to stop. There is a balance to be struck.
'The Government has a clear opportunity to put this right and they must not waste it.'
The Victims and Courts Bill is currently at the report stage in the House of Commons after first being introduced to Parliament in May.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
9 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Road death families demand action to end road carnage
Families were united in tragedy at a poignant memorial event to mark the lives of those who have died on our roads amid calls for tougher action against those responsible. There was barely a dry eye as widow Kate Uzzell, whose husband Martyn was killed on the roads, read a poem called 'Four minus one equals three', written by Tracy Bouaziz after the death of her son Adam. It summed up the heartbreak felt by many families who get the 'dreadful knock at the door' that so often marks the transition from life before and after loss. READ MORE: Nine MPs in Birmingham and Black Country make money renting out homes - is yours one of them The ceremony was held at the National Memorial Arboretum, near Lichfield, and annually marks the sad roll call of people who have died in vehicles, on bikes, walking or scooting on our roads network. Behind the event is RoadPeace, a charity that is a pillar of support for the families and friends of road crash victims. The turnout of around 200 people was a stark reminder of the urgent need to 'turn the tide on road violence' in the West Midlands and beyond. There were calls from families present for tougher enforcement against drivers found responsible for death and serious injury crashes, including stiffer prison terms and longer road bans. They also want more road safety measures including slower speeds, more average speed cameras and a crackdown on fake and ghost licence plates that evade speed cameras and police CCTV. The one-hour ceremony saw tributes paid by members from across the country, some highlighting initiatives in the names of their loved ones, including respite accommodation for the bereaved now open in memory of Ryan Saltern. Councillor Monica Stringfellow, cabinet member for community safety at Redditch Borough Council, lost her brother in a road crash and urged those attending to continue campaigning for change, and to continue to petition, protest and advocate 'on the promise that someday beautiful lives will not end abruptly and senselessly on the roads of the world.' The event was co-organised by Lucy Harrison, the charity's justice manager and coordinator for RoadPeace West Midlands and West Mercia, who lost her brother Peter Price when he was struck by a 93mph hit-and-run driver and left for dead in Hagley Road in November 2014. Her fight for improved road safety carries a single poignant aim - to prevent more families from enduring lifelong losses like hers. READ MORE: Six new driving laws coming in autumn under biggest shake-up since 2006 Speaking after the event, Denise Bennell, whose son Nick was killed in a road crash near Redditch in 2021, spoke of the trauma of loss and her three-year fight for justice that resulted. Her son, one of three siblings, was just 35 when he died. He had come off his Honda motorbike on the dualled A448 Bromsgrove Highway towards Redditch and, while other cars stopped, Fay Newman overtook them and ran over Nick and his motorbike at speed. Denise said she still recalled the terrible moment she learned of his death. "I got that knock on the door that you hear about, and I will never forget it." "His death traumatised all of us. Losing him was terrible; we still miss him all the time. He had an infectious laugh, a cheeky smile and was a terrible flirt but just loved life." Amy said her brother was 'an amazing friend and uncle' and 'was always the life and soul of any gathering,' while his young niece Violet recalled how her uncle was always playful and funny. After his death, the family had to fight for justice, relying on the victim's right to a case review through the Crown Prosecution Service before a charge was brought against the driver. Ms Newman, 52, was jailed for 20 months last December, 2024, after a jury convicted her of causing Nick's death by dangerous driving. Ms Newman died last month, while still serving her prison term. Also attending the event was Jayne Preston whose former husband Alan was hit by a young driver while out cycling in 2023. A devoted Walsall fan and father of two, he was cycling on the A452 Chester Road and Lazy Hill, near Stonnall, when he was tragically struck by a young driver and killed. The 58-year-old, who was a member of Pelsall Cycling Club, was knocked off his bike by Alfie Swann, who had only just passed his test, sustaining severe head injuries. Sadly, he died in hospital 13 days later. The 19-year-old driver had only passed his test in November 2022. Swann, of Widney Avenue in Aldridge, stopped his car, remained at the scene until police arrived, cooperated in interviews and later pleaded guilty to causing Mr Preston's death by careless driving. He told police he had looked both ways at the junction before pulling out but didn't see Mr Preston until it was too late. He received a two-year community order. The junction has been the scene of four accidents since 2002. The Preston family and Aldridge-Brownhills MP Wendy Morton have lobbied since for more safety measures on the road, including traffic lights. Said Jayne: "It is a really busy road and the junction is badly built and a hazard. The impact on all the family has been enormous. My health has been hugely harmed, and his mum never got over it, she died soon after. It's really hard; he left two grown-up children, and they miss him. "He lived for two more weeks after the crash but was in a coma and there was nothing they could do for him so we had to say goodbye. It was devastating." Also attending the event was West Midlands police and crime commissioner Simon Foster. It was the third annual ceremony he had attended and he was among those who read out the rollcall of tributes. "It is very poignant and moving to be here and the pain we witness is a reminder that we need to take constant and unrelenting action to improve road safety. "We need to tackle crime and anti-social driving on our roads so more people are not having to attend events like this," he said. "We were told while we were at school, that maths is great and numbers are cool, and usually I would agree, but since last year that changed for me. "When I see this simple sum, the 'minus one' is my eldest son. "How can happy really be, going down from four to three? For 18 years there has always been four, until that dreadful knock on the door, telling us were minus one, and we had lost our precious son. "We started as four, and one has gone, how can we possibly carry on? I tell you a secret, between you and me, we haven't a clue how to be a three."
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Tube passengers facing arrest over ‘assault' of naked man who exposed himself in front of children
Vigilantes who took the law into their own hands when a London Underground passenger exposed himself in front of children could face arrest, according to reports. Footage posted online shows the man dropping his trousers on a Hammersmith and City line train at around 3.30pm on Thursday. When challenged by commuters on the eastbound service at Upton Park station, a fight erupts. Up to four men stepped in when he repeatedly refused to pull up his pants and began shouting repeatedly 'f*** off'. British Transport Police believe the naked suspect, who has since been detained under the Mental Health Act, was assaulted by them. Detective appealed for witnesses to the incident but there have been no arrests over the brawl. A spokesman said: 'Officers were called to reports of a man exposing himself on the District Line at East Ham Underground station. 'The man had been assaulted by a number of other passengers and was initially arrested by an off duty officer, before being detained under the mental health act and taken to hospital. 'An investigation into the incident is ongoing.' When the suspect swears, one commuter can be heard replying: 'What do you mean f*** off? You need to get off the f***ing train. Now. There are kids on here.' The naked man continued to shout and wave his belt before more passengers stepped in to restrain him. A fight then appeared to break out, with the group punching and kicking him to the floor of the carriage. He was seen with his hands forced behind his back before being unceremoniously thrown off the train by several men. A photograph later showed him pinned to the ground on the platform at East Ham station, where passengers waited with him for help to arrive.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Man jailed for running supply of crack and heroin
A 21-year-old man from Swindon has been jailed for supplying Class A drugs across Swindon. Oskar Krzeszewski, 21, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to supplying crack cocaine and heroin, two counts of possession with intent to supply crack cocaine and heroin, two counts of possessing a bladed article in a public place and one count of possessing criminal property. In a hearing at Swindon Crown Court on Friday, he was jailed for 28 months. Recommended reading Armed police arrest man 'walking around carrying firearm' In the Dock: Fraud, firearms, drugs and more Man with weird facial covering wanted by police after bike theft On April 25, officers executed a proactive stop of Krzeszewski's vehicle, during which he was found in possession of an iPhone, two kitchen knives, two razor blades, a bag containing around 50 wraps of class A drugs, designed clothes and roughly £300 in cash. On May 17, officers received intelligence that a new Class A drug line had been set up, with evidence showing it had been established on April 26, the day after Krzeszewski's arrest. On June 24, officers executed a drugs warrant at a property in May Close, Swindon, where Krzeszewski was thought to be residing. He was arrested, and a search of the property located the relevant SIM card for the line. £5,500 in cash was also found, plus a number of individual wraps of crack cocaine and heroin, prepared for street deals. Larger bulk bags of suspected crack cocaine and heroin were also found, plus scales and plastic wrapping used to prepare the drugs. Investigating officer PC Aidan Hillier of the Integrated Gangs Team said: 'Krzeszewski played a significant role in supplying cocaine and heroin across Swindon and I am pleased he has been jailed for his actions. 'Following his initial arrest in April, he was brazen enough to set up a brand new line selling cocaine and heroin the following day. 'Officers swiftly identified this new line and executed a warrant at the property Krzeszewski was thought to be staying, and he was located with a significant amount of cash in his pockets. 'We know the serious harm that drugs cause in our communities – from the vulnerable users to their wider families and friends, and the neighbourhood-related crime like antisocial behaviour and shoplifting. 'There's no place for Class A drugs in Wiltshire, and we will continue to target and put before the courts those dealing them.'
