Michelle’s family ‘so grateful’
THE father of a teenage girl murdered in Drongan 15 years ago says he and his family are “forever grateful” for the support they’ve had from the community.
Michelle Stewart was aged just 17 when she was stabbed 10 times by John Wilson outside a shop in the village in 2008.
THE father of a murdered Drongan teenager has said that he and his family are forever grateful for the continued community support they receive.
Michelle Stewart was stabbed 10 times by John Wilson outside a shop in the village back in 2008, when she was just 17.
Since her killer’s conviction in 2009, Michelle’s family have been campaigning for years for what they call Michelle’s Law, which seeks to put the welfare of victims and their families at the centre of any decision on prisoners’ parole and early release.
Michelle’s dad, Kenny, says that Wilson is now due for a parole hearing, after being denied parole twice before.
Michelle’s Law has its own Facebook page, which aims to update the public about the ongoing fight to protect victim’s families.
The support that the Stewart family continues to receive is something that Kenny will be forever be grateful for.
He told the Chronicle: “The support we’ve always had has been incredible. It helps us continue the fight.
“I think people take a step back and think ‘who does that to a 17-year-old girl?’.
“People might pause for a second and think about what it would be like if it was their daughter or child, because it’s never really something you fully understand until you’re in that position.
“But we’re always so grateful for how much backing we get from the communities around here.”
“The support we’ve always had has been incredible - it helps us continue the fight”
Although it’s not yet known whether Wilson will get parole, Kenny and his family are mainly concerned about what would happen if the killer was released and if he came face-to-face with a member of Michelle’s family.
This is a concern that Michelle’s mother, Josephine has voiced in the past.
Kenny added: “We know the day will come when he is released, hopefully that will be a few years yet.
“But when that day does come, there is a chance that he could be released back into Ayr or Prestwick, which seems ludicrous.
“I don’t want to be in the supermarket and come faceto-face with him.
“I was asked before what I would do if I did see him and I said then that I’d probably run him over and then reverse back. But I don’t really know what I would do until I’m in that situation.
“I’m hoping I’m never put in that position and I’m hoping my family are never put in that position as well.
“We’ve been told he’s due up in front of the parole board next month, so we’ll wait and see what happens then.”
Kenny Stewart on the prospect of killer John Wilson being released