Campaigning for the victims of crime

JUST over 22 years ago, Jill Saward's life changed forever.

A gang of burglars broke into her home, attacked her father and then-boyfriend with cricket bats before raping and sexually assaulting her.

What became known as the Ealing Vicarage rape case – her father was the local vicar – shocked the nation.

As a rape victim, Jill had the right to anonymity but after her attackers were jailed she went public, writing a book about her experience and appearing in a high-profile TV documentary.

At the time, it was a ground-breaking move but today the married mother-of-three is back in the spotlight as an Independent candidate in the Haltemprice and Howden by election.

Having campaigned on the issue of sexual violence and victims' rights for the past two decades, she's entered politics for the first time.

“I am not a politician and I do not represent a political party but I do seek to gain cross-party trust and support,” she said.

“By-elections are about sending out messages. David Davis has already sent his message by resigning his seat and he would achieve nothing by winning. Despite all his claims, this by-election is not a national referendum.”

She added: “My message is not denying rights to defendants, nor is it about locking up criminals and throwing away the key. We need more balance in the criminal justice system.

“it's just that the pendulum has swung too far in favour of the wrongdoer,” she added.