06.07.1995

Free Emma Humphreys!

VICTIM of British ‘justice’ Emma Humphreys was incarcerated in Holloway jail 10 years ago ‘at her majesty’s pleasure’ - in other words indefinitely - because she was under 18.

Learning of the successful campaign which freed Kiranjit Ahluwalia from imprisonment for killing her intolerably violent husband, Emma contacted Justice For Women, who have obtained an appeal hearing after a two-and-a-half-year campaign, and organised a demonstration outside the Court of Appeal in the Strand.

Homeless at the age of 12 after escaping a violent stepfather, Emma was drawn into a life of drugs and prostitution. This led to an oppressive six-month relationship which ended when, after repeated rape and violence, she saved herself by stabbing her violent partner. Unable to articulate her abuse in the courtroom, Emma did not speak in her trial, and her only defence witness was a psychiatrist. Police evidence omitted her history of abuse, and she was convicted of murder. Tried as an adult, she was given an indefinite sentence as a child.

Emma’s release and the quashing of her sentence would strengthen countless others suffering domestic violence, just as Kiranjit’s success helped Emma.

Stan Kelsey