"I was very touched to meet Linda and Leon Westcarr, who have shown great bravery and dignity following the terrible loss of Kennedi. I have asked officials to come back very quickly on possible changes to the benefits system to stop entitlements for offenders who are detained in psychiatric hospitals."
"But my daughter's killing deserves more than sympathetic words - it demands action."
"True systematic changes, including preventing killers sent to hospitals from receiving benefits, and the implementation of Jade's Law, are needed to ensure victims are prioritised in the justice system."
Kennedi Westcarr-Sabaroche, 25, was killed in April 2024; Gogoa Lois Tape, 28, was detained by hospital order last month after killing her. Kennedi's mother Linda Westcarr and uncle met Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden in Parliament to lobby for changes to benefits for offenders detained in psychiatric hospitals. McFadden said he asked officials to review the benefits system to stop entitlements for such offenders and to close the loophole that allowed people like Tape and Valdo Calocane to claim benefits. Ms Westcarr also called for Jade's Law to automatically suspend parental responsibility where an offender has killed a partner or ex-partner.
Read at www.bbc.com
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