Murdered teen’s parents support long sentences in latest knife death
THE mum of Connor Brown has spoken out after Jack Woodley’s murderers were sentenced saying “no sentence is ever enough”.
Connor, 18, was fatally stabbed in an alleyway near Sunderland’s Gatsby’s pub in 2019 after stepping in to help others, with his family setting up the Connor Brown Trust to raise awareness of knife crime. Sadly this would not be the last young life lost to knife crime in our region.
In Houghton-le-Spring last year, Jack Woodley lost his life at just 18 after he was surrounded by a mob of teenage strangers and then stabbed in the back.
The 10 youths, aged just 14 to 18 at the time, were convicted of murdering Jack and all handed life sentences last week.
However, Judge Rodney Jameson determined the young killers should serve different minimum terms inside.
The youth found to have used the knife was told he must serve 17 years before he can be considered for parole.
The other nine were given minimum tariffs ranging from eight to 15 years.
Now Connor’s mum Tanya has spoken of her sadness over another senseless attack that has seen a young person lose their life.
However, she said the sentences of the gang were needed to “echo home” to young people that your age will not assist you in getting a lighter sentence for murder.
She said: “The sentences for each of the 10 defendants were in fact what was to be expected due to their ages.
“The defendant who used the knife, his sentence was longer than expected which is definitely what is needed to echo home to young people that your age will not assist you in getting a lighter sentence for murder.
“These children will have the opportunity to lead a ful-filled life on their release whereas Jack and his family don’t get that. They, like us, have to live the life sentence without our boys.
“No sentence is ever enough for causing the death of another.
“The message it sends out is that actions have consequences and no matter how small a part you play you can, and you will, be held accountable.
“It also highlights the fact your actions have consequences on your friends as well as your family and being involved with gangs will impact your own future.”
The mum continued: “Jack Woodley died in the most horrific of circumstances and I can feel and hear the pain and anguish in his mum’s voice every time I have spoken to her and it is just heartbreaking.
“I have and will continue to support Jack’s family however I can as I know I made a difference to Zoe and was able to help her in ways not many people could.
“It will always be painful to watch another family go through the pain and heartbreak of losing a child as we know only too well how it never goes away and the emptiness in your heart, in your life is just part of who you become.”
Tanya, along with Connor’s dad Simon Brown, has vowed to continue Connor’s legacy through the trust by engaging with young people and working to prevent knife crime in the community.
She said: “The trust is going from strength to strength and we are grateful to everyone who supports us.
“We are looking at having Bleed Kits fitted and accessible in and around Sunderland and then eventually further afield.
“The Bleed Kits are designed to help and prevent catastrophic bleeding which could potentially save a life.”