Redcar mam calls for tougher sentencing for knife crime
Theresa Cave's son Chris was just 17 when he was stabbed to death yards from her home. She wants to see tougher sentences for carrying a knife.
MPs have discussed introducing stricter sentencing guidelines for people who commit knife crimes.
A debate was held in Westminster Hall yesterday afternoon, with calls for 'soft sentences' to be scrapped.
MP Will Quincy lead the debate and said:
“Too many people, particularly our young people, still find it acceptable to carry blades and knives, they wrongly believe that doing so will keep them safe.
"But let us be clear, carrying a knife does not keep you safe, it is illegal and it puts them and others in grave danger”
Well someone who knows first-hand the importance of tough sentences for knife attackers is Theresa Cave from Redcar.
Her son Chris was stabbed to death at the age of 17, just yards away from her home.
His killer was sentenced to a minimum of 12 years in prison and has currently served 13.
But Theresa says there needs to be a greater emphasis on preventing knife crime, by introducing tougher sentences for being caught carrying a knife.
She said:
"Not everyone is going to kill someone with a knife, but they are carrying a knife with it in their mind that they're going to hurt someone.
"There's been plenty of cautions, plenty of slapped wrists but no deterrents put into place.
"If they had been put into place, would there be less people carrying knives today?
"Three month is nothing, they will be laughing at that. It should start at three years for carrying a knife.
"This is where the UK's backbone has totally gone, we have nothing in the way of deterring young people."