HUSH - Book - Page 73
page 73
HUSH – Breaking the Silence | Victim Support Scotland
influence. He has the reputation. But nothing could prepare us for the lack of humanity that that young man has
shown our daughter, right from her death right through to
the case. He's never said a word of any kind of apology or
has taken any kind of responsibility. He was just hidden
behind a top QC.
On the Friday was when the verdict was called out.
That was some day. That was unbelievable that day. Very
di cult. I was putting my trust that the right verdict would
be read out. Not just that I would get my way, selfish, but I
think society would be protected. When they read out, “Not
proven”, I was pretty shocked. My supporter said “It's not
proven but that's telling you that there is a higher element
of guilt. But they haven't got quite enough to, you know...”
And, unfortunately, Grace is a terrible example of that
law being used. It's just wrong, it's morally wrong, to say
that when you look at all the evidence involved in this case
and then just say, "Oh, you know something? I'm not sure,
so give him a 'not proven'". It's a void. Not guilty would have
been devastating but I would say that not proven was not
far behind. I mean, before the case called, I was preparing
myself to maybe even go to prison and sort of reach out to
this guy. The police said they'd got a very strong case. They
had got his drugs, messenger evidence, and proof he went
and sold the last ones to somebody else. They've got that
guy's statement. There is no mention of an ambulance. He's
not called the ambulance and he has run away, locked her
in his house. That to me looks quite damning. I mean what
else do you want? What else?
When we came out the front of the court, they asked us
for a statement, it was just a sea of media. And then the
rain came on. I remember that. It was absolutely teeming
with rain. That was just the way I felt, I suppose. And then I
had this statement to read out and then I just went to
bits. I just cried uncontrollably. Grace had been let down.
‘“Not proven”...Unfortunately,
Grace is a terrible example
of that law being used.’
I just had that horrible feeling, "I'm sorry, I've not been able
to get justice". Disbelief that in the Scottish law this verdict
can come back when a wee girl has been given drugs and
she's been left for dead.
But if I can use that horrible experience to help another
young person that's all I want to do in this world.
I think I would like to say to anybody that's lost a child
through a criminal act, you will get through it. It's a hell of a
ride, but if you use the love that's in your family, just sort of
take life a day at a time – I would say we all should stop
living our lives yesterday but live our lives a day at a time –
you will get through it. I'm three and a bit years down the
road and I've a long way to go. You don't have a clue how you
will do it, but I know that you will. And just keep remembering your loved one and try to live your life honouring them.
