Yesterday, 10th February 2022, our family attended The Old Bailey in London for the sentencing of Charlie Hilton, the person responsible for killing our beautiful baby, Lillie, and destroying four generations of one family.
The days that lead up to sentencing day were filled with anxiety, anticipation, fear and hope. During the past 13 months we have heard so many tragic stories from families in our position and sadly, the criminal system seems to have really let them down. We wasn’t sure what to expect in regards to how long the judge would give Hilton and we’re advised not to speculate so, we just prayed Lillie would finally get some justice.
In June 2022, the law changed and dangerous driving would now carry life imprisonment. Because Hilton killed our Lillie before June, he would only be looking at a maximum of 14 years and from what we had been told, the maximum was rarely imposed.
Unusually, we went back to The Old Bailey for sentencing, the judge had insisted she saw the case through on the 3rd January 2022 when, Lillie’s killer was put on remand. This, we were told was a good sign.
Following a very emotional hearing, Judge Munro sentenced Hilton to 14 years, the maximum she could give. She took the time to explain why she could only give 14 years and wished she could give him longer. Hearing a high court judge acknowledge Hilton deserved longer gave some comfort and as a family, we felt satisfied that the judge had done all she could do given our laws and her restrictions.
Unfortunately, she was also duty bound to give him some credit for pleading guilty after 12 months! That we will never understand. If an individual puts their hands up from the start, then maybe but, because of him, Lillie had to undergo the most horrendous autopsy to prove he killed her. He could have prevented that… why on earth was he was entitled to any credit is beyond us.
The media are reporting that he got ten and a half years, that was after the 25% credit. There have also been some inaccuracies regarding Lil’s age, she was 22 on the 9th November 2021.
We then learnt that he will actually only serve 5 years and 3 months in prison, the remaining 50% will be on license, assuming he behaves himself!
Some of you may have seen us on ITV leaving the court and interviewed after, they have followed Lillie’s story and we will do anything to get it out there, and of course promote Lillie’s Law.
Deb and Michael, Lil’s mum and brother were amazing and showed such dignity throughout. Our family really is broken, a piece missing that will never be replaced!
During the hearing we were told that Hilton had been to court 11 times for 26 offenses over a ten year period, 3 of those offenses we’re drink driving. How on earth can someone be given so many chances? We can’t accept this and believe that if we had tougher drink driving laws, for example, 3 strikes and that’s it, a life time ban… maybe, just maybe, Hilton would not have been driving that night and our beautiful, kind, caring, funny, brave, hard working, amazing Lillie would still be here.
Our family will make it our mission to keep fighting for change, and this now includes a review of our drink driving laws.
Hilton may be in prison for the next 5 years, but my sister, nephew and our family have a life sentence!
I was told this morning that one of his family members put a post on social media with a picture of Hilton saying, I’m heartbroken! Honestly, unless you are sat where my sister is and our family, you don’t know what heartbreak is… how shameful that anyone could compare the death of our gorgeous Lillie to the killer doing just over 5 years in prison… shame on them! I wouldn’t normally share something found on social media but that, I just couldn’t help myself.
We know we have a fight on our hands but we are determined. Most significant changes in the law appear to be brought through heartache. Lillie had so much to give this world and we will do everything we can to ensure she leaves a legacy that just might prevent another family going through this complete and utter nightmare.
The petition numbers did go up a little yesterday and we are incredibly grateful to each and everyone of you that have signed and shared Lillie’s story. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
I will continue to keep you all posted and now that we can speak more openly, we will do what we can to raise the campaign profile… TV, radio, social media and newspapers, whatever it takes.
Look after one another and once again, thank you all xx