‘The fact that he was out of jail and wandering the streets is truly unbelievable’.

The mother of murdered Ashley Wadsworth stands in solidarity with Zara Aleena’s family and women across the capital.

Christy Gendron lost her daughter Ashley Wadsworth in 2021. She was brutally murdered by Jack Sepple in Chelmsford in a vicious attack that saw him jailed for life. Christy has clearly stated that ‘This is a nightmare that thanks to you (Jack Sepple) we will never wake up from.’ Ashley like Zara will never return and despite life sentences for their killers, nothing will ever bring these much loved women back to their families.

Ashley’s mum Christy has shared with the Havering Daily her thoughts on the sentencing of Jordan McSweeney and how the sentencing guidelines in the UK need to change to support women.

“I firmly stand with Zara’s family and friends on the issue of violence against women and that her case was 100% preventable. He had over 20 previous instances of abuse and violence against individuals. The fact that he was out of jail and wondering the streets is truly unbelievable and unacceptable. The sentencing guidelines in the UK need to change, when someone is convicted of a violent crime they should be monitored fully once out on the street.

“Also I truly believe that starting when boys are young teaching them that violence against women is wrong and unacceptable and showing them anger management techniques as adolescents could help young men of the future to deal with their violent behaviour and give them the proper tools and counselling and courage to come forward if they are having violent thoughts.

“I want to send my love and prayers to Zara’s family for tomorrow and having to face her killer and read victim impact statements as I know all too well how hard and scary this can be. It’s so traumatic to have to lose a loved one to a senseless violent and cowardly act! Picturing her final moments is terrifying and horrific. We stand with them and every other family who is going through this that stiffer sentences are mandatory in assuring that these men cannot do this to anybody else’s loved ones.”

Murdered 19 year old Ashley from Canada.