‘We won’t read killer driver’s empty words’
Susan’ s family say apology letter has been left unopened Relatives will become carers to her disabled children Support gives us courage to carry on, they tell Observer
THE family of Susan Shaw say they will not read a letter of apology from the dangerous driver who killed a mother as he ‘showed no sign of remorse’.
Damian Raeburn has been told he faces a substantial jail sentence after admitting causing Susan’s death in a road accident on Boxing Day.
In an emotional interview with the Observer, Susan’s family have revealed how his actions have left her disabled son and daughter struggling to come to terms with the death of their mother.
THE sister of a mumof-two killed by a dangerous driver has vowed to care for her dependant niece and nephew like they are her own children.
Susan Shaw, of High Street, Rishton, cared full time for daughter Leanne, 27, and son Adam, 25.
Damian Raeburn, from Accrington, was this week told he is facing a long spell behind bars after admitting causing Susan’s death by dangerous driving just yards from her home on Boxing Day.
Debbie Hudson, of Shakespeare Avenue, Great Harwood, is now carer for the children, who both have severe learning difficulties.
Debbie, who like Susan, attended Norden High school, has two grown up children and suffers from fibromyalgia, said: “My sister was my best friend and soulmate.
“She always said if anything happens to her ‘would you look after the kids?’ We’ll be working as a family, it won’t just be me. We’ll do our best to make life easier for them and spoil them.
“I love them like my own kids and Susan loved my kids as much.”
Leanne developed a brain infection when she was five, has got a severe form of epilepsy and requires one-to-one care.
Adam, who sustained a frontal lobe defect from birth, has severe epilepsy, is unable to speak and needs help eating and washing. Debbie will be taking on much of the daytime caring, while her mum Annette, 68, will be helping at night.
As well as Annette’s husband, semi-retired David Shaw, and Debbie’s husband John Hudson, 65, the family are hoping to get help from social services but are not sure yet if they will qualify for carer’s allowance on top of Debbie’s Employment Support Allowance.
Annette, of Edward Street, Rishton, said: “Susan was a much loved and cherished family member, and a well-loved member of the community. She was always gen- erous with her time, with both friends and strangers alike. She was devoted to her children.
“She wasn’t well, but gave 100 per cent every day. It’s devastating.
“Adam has kept looking at a photograph of his mum and looking at the door. He has a mental age of three and the only words he learned are mummy, nanna and grandma.
“Leanne is having fits every day because of this.
“The specialist said it’s due to the stress. She keeps crying at night time and saying ‘I want my mummy’. Leanne knows that a man hit her. She wanted to know why and I said he was driving like he shouldn’t have done.”
Annette said an apology letter Raeburn had written to the family would remain unopened as he had shown no remorse in his actions. She said: “I’m glad he pleaded guilty obviously, but what he did was awful. We haven’t looked at his letter saying sorry. My daughter said I’m not looking at it.”
She recalled the dreadful moment she went outside into the commotion following the collision, after Susan did not return from the shop.
She said: “I went down to the scene and I saw them trying to resuscitate someone. I said to the policeman ‘my daughter is missing’ and I said ‘I know it’s her’. I told him what she was wearing and he said ‘it is your daughter and it’s very serious’. He then came back and said ‘I’m sorry, she has gone’.
“Another officer shouted at me and said who are you?’. I said ‘I’m Susan’s mum’. I was sobbing my heart out, he put his arm around me. It was awful, I’ll never forget it.”
Susan’s dad David, 75, said Debbie and Susan were very close, like the rest of the family.
He added: “Leanne and Adam are making everyone get from one day to the next. If we had known something was going to happen to her it wouldn’t be so hard. I cannot see me getting over it.”