"My Cousin Was Killed By An 11-Year-Old": Why Criminal Age Must NOT Change

8 May 2019, 13:54

Kimberley Cassels was just four when her three-year-old cousin Jamie was killed by an 11-year-old boy. She told LBC why the age of criminal responsibility must not be raised.

MSPs in Scotland have backed a bill that will increase the age of criminal responsibility from eight to 12.

Some campaigners have already called for the Scottish government to raise it further to either 14 or 16.

But Kimberley, whose cousin Jamie Campbell was killed by 11-year-old Richard Keith in 1990, said the decision was a slap in the face.

Jamie Campbell, who was killed by an 11-year-old
Jamie Campbell, who was killed by an 11-year-old. Picture: Mirrorpix

Nick asked if she felt 11-year-olds knew what they were doing with regards to criminal acts and Kimberley insisted: "Absolutely, I really do.

"I think that Scotland should put the age of responsibility at 10, the same as England and Wales, because of the Bulger case as well.

"It should never surpass the age of Scotland's young killer. There's precedents there, why surpass that age? There's no reason to do that.

"They are talking about upholding children's rights. But whose rights are more important, the victim or the perpetrator?

"The Scottish Children's Minister said yesterday that no longer will a child under 12 be held responsible or carry a criminal record and I thought what a slap in the face to me and my family.

"My family are absolutely deflated. It's so disrespectful."

More Nick Ferrari

See more More Nick Ferrari

Exclusive
The mural on the wall of the Golden Chippy

A Greenwich fish and chip shop that's causing a stink over painting, as owner tells LBC he's 'determined to keep mural up'

Rishi Sunak’s job is under threat from a plot of backbench Tory MPs who want to replace him with Penny Mordaunt before the general election.

Tories 'need to stop messing around and get behind the Prime Minister,' Business Secretary tells LBC

Exclusive
'This is trivia': Kemi Badenoch hits out at continued furore over Tory donor 'racism' row

'This is trivia': Kemi Badenoch hits out at continued furore over Tory donor 'racism' row

Government suspends tariffs on key imports to boost SMEs launching £660 million northern powerhouse fund

Government suspends tariffs on key imports to boost SMEs launching £660 million northern powerhouse fund

'Floating voters' unconvinced by Jeremy Hunt's Budget

LBC's 'Floating Voters' left unconvinced by Jeremy Hunt's Budget

Leila Khaled, who hijacked planes, will appear via video link at a fundraiser hosted by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign. Andy Street wants police to look at the event

'I'm not comfortable with it': West Mids Mayor to speak to police amid fury over Palestinian hijacker’s fundraiser

Andy Street taking calls from the public on Nick Ferrari at Breakfast

Tory MP's claim that Birmingham has 'no-go areas' was 'ridiculous', West Midlands Mayor tells LBC

Minister quizzed on tweet where he described Trump as 'cancer'

Minister Bim Afolami says tweet in which he referred to Donald Trump as 'a cancer' is appropriate

Lee Anderson

Police 'looking into hate speech complaint against Lee Anderson' after MP said Sadiq Khan was controlled by Islamists

Richard Tice said he turned down two Tories who tried to join the party

Reform UK leader Richard Tice says he rejected two Tory MPs who tried to defect in the last year

Michael Tomlinson repeatedly refused to answer Nick Ferrari's question

Nick Ferrari cuts off minister who refuses to answer his questions nine times over Lee Anderson's 'Islamophobic remarks'

Rishi Sunak is facing a revolt for sacking Lee Anderson

Lee Anderson refuses to apologise for 'Islamist' comments as he doubles down on criticism of Sadiq Khan

Rishi Sunak is facing a revolt for sacking Lee Anderson

PM denies Tories have 'Islamophobic tendencies' as minister says Lee Anderson's comments were 'profoundly wrong'

Dame Esther Rantzen has told LBC why she is campaigning to change the law on assisted dying

‘Dogs get treated better than humans’, Esther Rantzen says, as TV legend demands assisted dying law change

Rishi Sunak (l) puts on a brave face to the Tories by-election defeats on a visit to Harlow. New Kingswood MP Damien Egan (top r) and Wellingborough MP Gem Kitchen (bottom r)

Rishi Sunak begs frustrated Tories 'not to put Starmer in power' after party suffers double by-election disaster

New Labour MPs Damien Egan and Gen Kitchen

'They are not very good results': Tory chairman admits after double by-election drubbings as MPs call for tax cuts