The last words my son said were 'dad did this and he did it on purpose'

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The last words my son said were 'dad did this and he did it on purpose'
Claire Throssell is calling for a review of the family justice system in the wake of a new Women's Aid report
Claire Throsell with sons Paul (left) and Jack (right)
(Image: Supplied )
A mother whose two sons were tragically killed by their violent father during a visit authorised by the courts is campaigning for a shift away from the "pro-contact" mentality within the legal system.
Claire Throssell is urging Prime Minister Keir Starmer to overhaul the family justice system following a chilling Women's Aid report that shows since her children's deaths, 19 more youngsters in England and Wales have been killed by a parent or guardian known for domestic abuse, despite being granted access rights.
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The Nineteen More Child Homicides study says the victims ranged from a three-week-old infant to an 11 year old child, with all but one of the perpetrators being male and 15 of the murders committed by the children's fathers. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here
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In a heart-wrenching incident back in October 2014, Claire's own children, Jack, aged 12, and Paul, aged nine, were callously killed by their father Darren Sykes, who enticed them into the attic with the promise of a new train set before setting the house ablaze.
Claire, 53, from Penistone, South Yorkshire, has expressed her despair at the government's inaction, saying: "The government hasn't learnt anything since my sons were murdered. Children are dying and they are doing nothing to stop it."
Women's Aid is now collaborating with Claire to demand the government urgently reassess the family justice system, accusing the courts of continuing to fail in safeguarding children, reports the Mirror.
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Claire Throssell, 43, from Thurlstone lost her two sons Jack, 12, Paul, 9, when her ex-partner Darren Sykes, 44, lured his children to their deaths
(Image: MDM )
According to the charity, which monitors such tragic incidents, over the past three decades, 67 children have lost their lives to individuals with a history of domestic violence.
Before her sons were tragically killed by their father, Claire had alerted Cafcass (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service) and Social Services about the danger her ex-husband posed to their children.
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She said: "In my court application I clearly stated he was capable of killing Jack and Paul. He had been repeatedly violent towards me and abusive to the boys.
"Even in the Family Court he was shouting at me and couldn't contain his temper, but still the judge gave him access to my beautiful sons, and now they are dead.
"I knew the boys weren't safe with him and the hardest part is Jack and Paul knew that too. They didn't like going to visit their dad. They knew how angry he could get and would beg me not to make them go, but there was a court order in place stating they had to see their dad twice a week."
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It was during one of these access visits on October 22, 2014, that Claire's ex-husband intentionally set fire to the house, after cancelling the building and contents insurance. He also died in the fire.
Claire said: "The last words Jack said, as the firefighters desperately tried to rescue him, was 'my dad did this and he did it on purpose'."
Paul died on the same night, along with his father. Jack bravely battled for his life for another five days, before succumbing to his severe burn injuries and related medical complications.
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The devastating loss has made Claire resolute in her campaign for changes in family law.
Determined to eradicate domestic violence, she is waiting for a reply to her meeting request with Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood. She said: "The pro-contact culture means dangerous and violent individuals are being given access to children. There is a systematic problem in family courts that needs addressing.
"How many more children have to be killed before the government stands up and listens?" After losing her sons, Claire resolved to do her part prevent further tragedies, saying: "I vowed after my sons died that I would do everything I could to stop another child being killed at the hands of an abusive parent, but I am fighting one government after another, who aren't listening."
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Claire initiated a petition against presumed contact for the Child First campaign in 2016. Surpassing 100,000 supporters, it sparked parliamentary debate.
She added: "I can never bring my sons back, but I won't stop campaigning until the government stands up and does something meaningful to protect children."
In January, Labour MP Marie Tidball championed a call to abolish the presumption of parental contact in family courts.
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Claire has penned a book titled 'For My Boys', set for release in October, and said: "I will not let Jack and Paul's deaths be in vain. There isn't a single minute of a single day when I don't think about my sons. Jack should now be 23 and Paul 20."
For My Boys by Claire Throssell will be published by Mirror Books on October 9th.
(Image: Supplied )
"Their lives were cruelly taken far too early, and I was robbed of the memories and lives we should have shared together.
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"I implore Keir Starmer to think about this and prevent another parent going through the devastating pain and heartache I am forced to endure every second of my waking life.
"Does the Labour government want its legacy to be that of one who ignored the safety of children or one that did something to save lives?".
"No one should suffer the pain that constantly rips me apart and no child should be put at risk of a terrifying and painful death."
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Farar Nazeer, CEO of Women's Aid, added: "It is clear that within the family court system there remains inequality, injustice, fear and oppression.
"All too often perpetrators are shielded by a system that does not prioritise the safety of adult and child survivors.
"There also remains a disproportionate regard for the rights of the perpetrator in the family court system, often at the expense of the rights of the child."
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A UK government spokesperson said: "This was a horrendous crime and our thoughts are with Claire Throssell and her family.
"While judges already have the power to restrict parental involvement in a child's life, we are reviewing the presumption of parental involvement and will publish the findings and next steps shortly."
For My Boys by Claire Throssell will be published by Mirror Books on October 9. To preorder on Amazon now go to: https://www.amazon.co.uk/My-Boys-Claire-Throssell/dp/1917439326.
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