‘OUR SON HAS BEEN ROBBED OF HIS DADDY’
I’ll Fight to clear graham’s name Shooting victim’s partner tells of heartache
The devastated partner of shooting victim Graham Williamson this week spoke of her heartache after their son “was robbed of his daddy”.
Amanda Jane Mcguire is now trying to pick up the pieces of her life after her childhood sweetheart was shot in broad daylight outside their family home in Blantyre on August 17 this year.
The 26-year-old says she has been knocked for six by the stories and rumours circulating in the aftermath of doting dad Graham’s death and has vowed to clear his name for the sake of their son.
In an exclusive interview with the Advertiser Amanda Jane said: “People can be so cruel, they have no idea the pain and added stress they are causing by spreading rumours.
“I hear the whispers and see people pointing when I’m out and about.”
And heartbroken Amanda added: “There is so much being said that is absolutely untrue and that is why I’ve chosen now to speak out and to fight Graham’s corner with every breath I have, to clear his reputation, because that’s what he deserved.”
So being much said is untrue that’s why
I will fight
Graham’s corner with every breath I have
The heartbroken partner of a Blantyre dad who was shot and killed in the street this week said she will “fight with every breath” to protect his reputation.
Amanda Jane Mcguire has been left devastated following the horrific death of Graham Williamson in Caithness Street, Blantyre, in August this year.
The couple – proud parents of twoyear- old Harris – were childhood sweethearts, together for 10 years, from the age of just 16.
Now, Amanda Jane’s life has been ripped apart and the 26-year-old has vowed to fight Graham’s corner in a bid to clear his name of the rumours circulating in the town.
She told the Advertiser: “These have been the worst few weeks of my life. We were a happy young family with our whole lives ahead of us and that has been cruelly taken from us.
“Sometimes it’s hard for me to drag myself out of bed in the morning as I just don’t know what that day is going to bring. But I have to pick myself up for our son and get on with things day by day.
“There is so much being said that is absolutely untrue and that is why I’ve chosen now to speak out and to fight Graham’s corner with every breath I have, to clear his reputation, because that’s what he deserved.”
Amanda Jane is left reeling on a daily basis with constant rumours, articles and social media posts about her beloved partner’s death.
She continued: “People can be so cruel, they have no idea the pain and added stress they are causing by spreading rumours.
“I hear the whispers and see people pointing when I’m out and about. Even doing the nursery run with Harris, there are people stopping to stare.
“What I have to say to them is don’t judge me and certainly don’t judge Graham. It is not on. We have enough to deal with having just lost a partner, son, brother and Harris’ dad.
“Our son has been robbed of his daddy. Robbed of that person who should have taught him how to ride a bike for example, robbed of having his dad stand with pride and watch on his first day of school. Everything we did, we did for Harris and for our future.”
Amanda Jane continued: “The rumours are horrific and I have to speak out and say that Graham had absolutely no involvement with drugs at all – everything we had together came from nothing more than legitimate hard work.
“He had two businesses and we have a portfolio of properties together that we worked very hard to achieve.
“Graham was loving, kind and caring and people don’t understand how hard it is to hear that his name is being torn to shreds with the awful things that are being said.
“It’s hard enough now having to bring up our son on my own without people saying that he deserved what happened to him. No one deserves to be shot, absolutely no one.
“I honestly wouldn’t wish this pain on a worst enemy. It has been the most horrific few weeks of our lives, compounded by the rumours.
“But truth will prevail.”
In the aftermath of Graham’s death, Amanda Jane sought extra support from Lanarkshire charity FAMS and set up a Facebook page entitled Graham’s Rainbow.
FAMS support the mental health and wellbeing of young adults affected by murder and suicide, as well as offering support to their wider families, friends and communities. The charity’s co- founder Ann Marie Cocozza, of Hamilton, has been supporting Amanda Jane through the grief process, providing advice on any forthcoming trial, being a shoulder to cry on and general day-by-day assistance.
As a thank you, Amanda Jane has organised a host of events in Graham’s memory to raise much-needed cash for the charity.
Among these are a sponsored ‘Walk of Hope’ from Glasgow to the David Livingstone Bridge in Blantyre, the sale of Graham’s Rainbow merchandise online, a sky dive, bungee jump, climb of Ben Nevis and a walk to Ibrox on Graham’s birthday in February.
Amanda Jane added: “FAMS have been a great source of support, as well as family and friends of course.
“But no one really understands the pain. At the end of the day when the doors are closed and it’s just myself and Harris, that’s when the loneliness creeps in and the pain becomes overwhelming.
“FAMS, and in particular Ann Marie, have been so good, so our fundraisers are just our way of saying thank you and giving a little something back.
“It will be a long journey but with their help, I know I’ll get through this.”
Ann Marie Cocozza added: “Amanda Jane has been so strong, but she will crumble and she knows that.
“But FAMS are here help to her every step of the way and we are so grateful to her for her fundraising.
“FAMS are completely overwhelmed with referrals to the service at this point and our current resources just can’t cope so we really rely on this kind of fundraising.”
To support Graham’s Rainbow fundraisers please visit https://www. facebook. com/ Grahamsrainbow/ or visit https://www.facebook.com/ Fams.charity