Chris Grayling MP, Shadow Home Secretary today visited Hanley Swan Post Office this Friday, May 22nd 2009 to meet with Alan and Rosalind Davies, the postmaster who was badly injured in a burglary in 2005 and his wife. Mr Davies was hit over the head with a crowbar by two teenagers from South Wales who were caught and convicted a year later. They were sentenced to 12 years in prison, which was subsequently reduced on appeal.

Mr and Mrs Davies still run the Post Office and shop in this beautiful and peaceful village which was so shocked by this savage crime. Today they spent time in a private meeting with Mr. Grayling where they made their case for better support for victims and requested that there be a Minister for Victims. They also showed Mr. Grayling more than 4,500 signatures from local residents protesting the short sentence received by the perpetrators.

Mr. Grayling agreed that the justice system is tilted away from victims in favour of criminals and he welcomed the suggestion from Mr and Mrs Davies that there should be a Minister for Victims. He pledged that a Conservative government would bring back honesty in sentencing and an end to the government's early release scheme.

Harriett Baldwin, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for West Worcestershire, who arranged the visit said, "I hope this visit helps Mr and Mrs Davies' campaign to rebalance the criminal justice system in favour of the victim. It is wrong that they were not informed when the criminals appealed their sentences. It is wrong that their request to find out how much is spent on West Mercia Probation Service was declined. I welcome Mr. Grayling's commitment, as a former chairman of Victim Support, to listen to these victims and agree to changes should he become the next Home Secretary.

 

Photo: Harriett with Shadow Home Secretary Chris Grayling MP on his visit to Worcestershire.