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Family of murder victim Tom Kirwan back Express & Star knife campaign
‘Absolutely disgusting’ – the response of the sister of murdered Tom Kirwan at the availability of lethal knives, as exposed in an Express & Star investigation.
This newspaper purchased a variety of weapons, including a long reach machete, from high street shops in Dudley and Wolverhampton.
Speaking today, anti-knife campaigner Martyne Johnson, who is the sister of Mr Kirwan, said action must be taken to clamp down on their availability.
And she described the region’s ‘knife problem’ as hitting the pinnacle, calling on judges and the police to provide a greater deterrent for people carrying the weapons.
The campaign for a review of the sale of knives, launched in the wake of the investigation, has also been backed by friends of Reagan Asbury, stabbed to death at a boxing match at Walsall Town Hall in October.
Mr Kirwan was stabbed to death outside Uberra nightclub in July in 2012.
The person responsible has never been find despite repeated appeals, including one launched last week.
Mrs Johnson, aged 34, said: “I was not aware you could buy such knives, I think it is absolutely disgusting.
“We’ve hit a pinnacle to the problem and there’s nothing solving it at the moment.
“These shops need to stop selling these knives. For everyone’s sake.”
Mrs Johnson also backed an ongoing campaign by the Express & Star for automatic prison sentences for anyone caught in possession of a knife.
Currently, people are given two strikes before receiving an immediate prison sentence.
But violent crime in the Black Country and Staffordshire continues to rise, as well as offences for possession of a weapon.
Mrs Johnson said: “Tom died five years ago but nothing has changed.
“We need judges to set an example.
“If someone knows they will be sent to prison for holding a knife, a deterrent would be in place.
“But for now people know they can get away with a slap on the wrist.
“It is shocking, and the system has to change.
“Knives are no different than guns. They both cause devastation, death and so much pain for the victim’s families.”
Mr Kirwan’s death happened after a disagreement between two groups of people outside the former nightclub.
Another group arrived and the disorder erupted.
Mr Kirwan, aged 23, was stabbed. He was taken to hospital, but later died.
A friend of Mr Kirwan was also stabbed, suffering head injuries, and despite recovering, can not remember the incident in full.
The attack weapon has never been found.
A £20,000 reward is up for information which would lead to the conviction of anyone.
Detective Superintendent Tom Chrisholm, who continues to work on the case, said: “This was a tragic case which shows the consequences of people carrying knives.
“People need to realise the damage they can cause, not only themselves and other people, but also friends and family.
“And anyone who carries a knife must realise if they are caught by police they will be arrested and dealt with appropriately.”
Mr Asbury, aged 19, was killed after a fight broke out at the end of the boxing event at Walsall Town Hall.
A post mortem examination confirmed the former Pelsall United footballer died from a wound to his neck.
Life-long friend Brad Rolston, aged 20, from Bloxwich, said: “Reagan’s death and this shows how easy it is to get a knife. You see them everywhere, you can even buy some of Facebook which flick out, hidden within your keys.
“It makes you concerned going out. You are always having to look about, hoping nothing kicks off. If there is any trouble you have to be so careful.”
He added: “The shops shouldn’t be selling the knives, online or on the street, it’s not right.
“They are responsible for when someone gets hurt.”
“I’d also say the Government needs to do something, maybe introduce licences to ensure knives can only be used for things like fishing,” he said.
Another victim of knife crime was 16-year-old Christina Edkins.
She was stabbed by a kitchen knife on a bus while on her way to school in Halesowen. Her killer, paranoid schizophrenic Philip Simelane was detained indefinitely under the Mental Health Act.
Christina’s uncle Chris Melia has long called for a tightening in laws of the possession of knives. He also supported the introduction of knife surrender bins.
Earlier this year, he said: “We have to be tougher on knife crime. We would support any move which reduces the number of families like Christina’s from going through the needless anguish and loss of children.”
Speaking about weapons being available in local shops, he told the Express & Star he was “horrified”.
“We welcome and support the Express & Star in this crusade to reduce knife crime,” he said.
There have been more than 30 serious stabbings incidents this year.
