The mother of murdered University of Hull student Libby Squire says those who take a life shouldn't be released

Lisa Squire wants full life sentences for those who take a life

Libby's bench in Hull
Author: Andy MarshPublished 10th Jul 2023

The mother of murdered University of Hull student Libby Squire is campaigning for offenders who take a life to never be released.

Pawel Relowicz must serve at least 27 years of a life sentence for killing Libby in 2019.

Her mum Lisa says life should mean life for all murderers and they should never be released because of the impact on families.

We've been speaking to her.

There's still a big Libby shaped hole

She told us: " I don't cry everyday anymore but she's the first thing on my mind in the morning, the last thing on my mind at night."

"You learn to live with it because you don't have a choice".

"I always say it's like a massive crater has gone off in the middle of our lives."

"We have a very nice life, I have an amazing family, lovely job, wonderful home but in the centre there's a big Libby shaped hole."

"Most of the time now I can walk round the edge of the Libby shaped hole but sometimes I fall into it - and when I'm in the hole it takes me a long time to get out."

"I do think there's a certain thing about mothers who've lost children."

Our children are worth more than the people who took them away from us.

"We become like these "worrier animals" - no one will stop us talking about our children."

"We will make a difference because our children are worth more than the people who took them away from us."

Lisa says she also backs calls for offenders to be forced to appear in Court to hear their sentence.

She supports our Face the Family campaign to stop offenders choosing not to be in court for that sentencing.

You should be able to give your victim impact statement to them

"Your loved one has been taken from you and the person that took them from you is in the same space as you so they should be forced to come forward and have the sentence given to them.

"You should be able to give your victim impact statement to them because it does make you feel really powerful."

"Not having that sets you back."

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