'I want to face Zoe's killer' (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

'I want to face Zoe's killer'

Zoe EvansNEWS that families of murder victims will be able to tell trial judges of their suffering has been welcomed in west Wiltshire.

The grandmother of Warminster schoolgirl Zoe Evans, murdered by her stepfather in 1997, said she wished the new rules would come in time for her to tell the killer face-to-face what he had done to her family.

Under the US style system, being piloted in five areas after the announcement by minister for constitutional affairs Harriet Harman last week, families of murder or manslaughter victims will be able to address the court before sentencing.

This would happen after the defendant had been found or pleaded guilty.

Family members could address the trial judge themselves or submit a statement through a barrister.

Ann Hamilton, 60, of Westfield Road, Trowbridge, said she wants to tell Miles Evans, the killer of nine-year-old Zoe, how her family had suffered over the past eight years.

She said: "Addressing the judge in front of him (Evans), his mother and everyone in court would be something I would want to do, especially so he would know what Zoe's family and friends have been going through.

"I think some of the judges are too lenient. Listening to the true impact of the crime might make them think about giving longer sentences.

"I think the victims need more consideration in the judicial process. It would give an idea of the real impact the crime has had.

"I have written a statement about Zoe's murder but sometimes you cannot get across how you are feeling. It would be part of the healing process.

"This change in the law is too late for me but I hope other families will benefit."

Mrs Hamilton is waiting for Evans' tariff setting hearing, which will decide how long he will stay behind bars.

Despite being found guilty of Zoe's murder in 1998 the former soldier has yet to have his tariff set because of numerous appeals and a change in the law, forced by a European ruling.

Ministers have said Evans' hearing at the High Court in London will be held in the autumn, as there are hundreds of backlogged cases to wade through.

Mrs Hamilton said she is hoping for a whole life, or 50-year tariff, set aside for the country's worst killers. She will not be allowed to address the judge but has written an impact statement, which has been read by Evans, for the court to take into consideration.