A mum who has been told her daughter’s murderer is awaiting early release from a 16-year sentence has praised The Mirror for winning a victory for grieving parents after Rishi Sunak agreed to tougher sentences for domestic abuse killers.
Carl Truffas, now 46, was jailed for life in 2011, with a minimum of 16 years, for the murder of Natalie James, 23, who had given birth to their son just six weeks earlier.
But Natalie’s mum Gill James, 57 - who is raising her two boys, Callum, 13, and Joshua, 21 - has been informed by email that he is being recommended for a move to an open prison by the Parole Board, to facilitate an early release.
The family are campaigning against this - and you can show support here.
Read more about our Justice for Daughters campaign here.
Now Gill has praised our Justice for Our Daughters campaign, after the government promised to raise minimum sentences for domestic abuse killers from 15 to 25 years if they win the election - which is one of our campaign’s main demands. .
Gill, whose family have appealed to Justice Secretary Alex Chalk to reconsider moving Truffas, says: “The Daily Mirror campaign is shining a light on what victims actually need. It is vital this government and the Labour party finally start to listen.
“It would have made a massive difference to us if Truffas had got 25 years.
“The children would be adults and we’d have been able to live a life without worry and wonder.
“The boys are victims, and one of them is his son. For Callum to be in school when Truffas might be released is awful. They haven’t even allowed him to finish his education.
“The system has failed us, but it’s failing the children more so. We should have been given enough time to live a life before their mother’s killer was freed.”
Diagnosed with PTSD after receiving an email in September warning her that Truffas could be released early, Gill fears her pleas to Justice Secretary Alex Chalk to keep him jailed will fall on deaf ears.
She says: “I feel so let down.”
Gill, who has raised the boys with her husband Darren, 56, an electrician, recalled how, high on drink and drugs, “Jekyll and Hyde” Truffas had stabbed Natalie in the neck with her grandfather’s eight-inch knife, in front of her friend Jennifer Staples, 56, having already broken into her Walsall flat earlier that night.
Natalie, who had dumped the monster over his violent behaviour, called the police, but Truffas hid while they investigated - pouncing once they left.
And he was heard on the 999 call saying: “Don’t worry, I love you Nat,” as she bled to death.
Refusing to admit to Natalie’s murder on August 7 2010, he was found guilty after a trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court in March 2011.
But that wasn’t the end for Natalie’s family.
Truffas, who had an on-off relationship with her after they met through friends, then tried to win custody, so his son would be raised by a family friend - leading to a costly fight in the family court.
Gill says: “Halfway through the custody battle in the family court, he suddenly demanded proof that Callum was his son and we had to pay for the DNA test.
“I ended up having an awful anxiety attack - it took me back to trying to protect everyone after it happened.”
Gill’s family won their battle, but feel that his sentence was an insult and welcome The Mirror’s call for longer sentences and our demand that Labour must also enact the proposals if they are elected, within their first 100 days.
Gill says: “Sixteen years inside is an insult.”
JUSTICE FOR OUR DAUGHTERS
Last year, an estimated 75 women in Britain were killed at home by their partner. They were mums, daughters, grans, sisters and friends. But in the eyes of the law, their murderers don’t deserve the same punishment as a killer in the streets.
OUR DEMANDS
1 Longer sentences for domestic abuse killers
Under current laws if a murderer has brought a weapon to a scene with intent to kill, he or she would expect to be jailed for 25 years. However, if you kill someone with a weapon already at the scene the starting point is 15 years. The law should be updated so these domestic violence killers receive 25 years too.
2 Longer sentences for murder by strangulation
A quarter of domestic homicides are by strangulation. The law should be updated so that when someone is fatally strangled the method of killing is regarded as an aggravating factor and carries a longer sentence.
3 Domestic abuse specialists in 999 control rooms
For victims of domestic abuse to be given immediate access to trained specialists in police control rooms, in line with Labour’s pledge.
4 Domestic abusers to face manslaughter charges if victims take their own lives
Coercive control and abuse perpetrators should face legal consequences in line with the suffering they have caused.
HOW TO HELP
Add your name to the “coercive control by manslaughter” petition by May 1
WHERE TO GET HELP
If you or a loved one are affected by domestic violence contact Refuge’s NationalDomestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or visit Refuge.
She will never forget the day she had to tell Callum - who has had no contact from his dad apart from one birthday card since he was jailed - that his dad killed his mum, after they had been learning about families at school.
She recalls: “I always said I’d never lie, so I told him. He was only seven and was heartbroken.
“Truffas robbed them of a mother, then he was trying to dictate to us from prison what he could do. It’s just awful.
“We’re the ones who’ve been given the life sentence, not him.”
Sign the family's Change petition here.
For confidential support, call the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Freephone Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or visit womensaid.co.uk . If you or your family have lost a friend or family member through fatal domestic abuse, AAFDA (Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse) can offer specialist and expert support and advocacy. For more info visit www.aafda.org.uk .