Families speak out after Bristol murder trial
As the father of Joe Dymond- Williams wept on the court steps, the mother of one of the teenager's killers has denounced her son's conviction as "the most unfair of all time".
Thomas Swift, who was found guilty of murdering Joe by a jury last month, was yesterday told he must serve a minimum of nine years of a mandatory life sentence before he can apply for parole.
The 18-year-old, of Ellfield Close, Highridge, had kicked Joe's head "like a football" as he lay unconscious and lifeless on the pavement following a punch from Jack Sanderson-Hunt, also 18 and of Dundry View, Knowle Park.
For his part, Sanderson-Hunt was given three-and-a-half years after admitting manslaughter.
The Crown Prosecution Service accepted the plea, which meant Sanderson-Hunt, who wrote a letter to Joe's parents saying sorry for his "horrible mistake", did not have to stand trial for murder.
It is the difference between the two sentences which caused Swift's mother to speak out.
Joe, who was 17, was attacked by the pair because he had intervened to try and clam an argument between a friend and a girl.
Sentencing them at Bristol Crown Court Mr Justice Foskett said the tragedy perfectly demonstrated the potential destructiveness and danger of underage drinking.
For Joe's father John Williams and mother Gabrielle Dymond, the sentences were irrelevant. They say no penalty, however steep, could compensate for the loss of their son.
"I always knew there would be no justice. It makes no difference to us what sentence they received because when we go home Joe will still be dead," Mr Williams said.
But Yvonne Swift, who has already apologised to the family, said: "It is a fine line between murder and manslaughter. My son got nine years while Jack Sanderson-Hunt got three-and-a-half years, any parent would feel that is unfair and unjust.
"The judge was as fair as he could be to Tom and I would challenge anyone to find a more honest and nice person convicted of murder.
"I know he will be a good prisoner. We feel that the prosecution got it wrong to get Tom convicted of murder. Both he and Jack Sanderson-Hunt should have been convicted of manslaughter and any parent would feel the same.
"I hope this case will go down in history as being the most unfair conviction of all time.
"Finally we would like to express our deep sorrow for the friends of relatives of Joe because we too are a decent family."
Joe, from Whitchurch, was attacked outside the QC bar in Queen Charlotte Street on June 21 last year after trying to defuse an argument between his friend and a girl.
Sanderson-Hunt knocked Joe over with a forceful punch, causing him to hit his head on the pavement. As Joe lay unconscious and seriously injured Swift delivered a blow to his head. Joe suffered massive brain damage.
During the trial, Home Office pathologist Dr Hugh White said Joe's fall caused a 10cm-long fracture to the back of his skull and the kick to his temple caused a 3.5cm-long fracture.
He said it was probable the fall was a fatal injury and the kick was a contributory factor, but it was unlikely the kick alone would have killed Joe.
Joe was rushed to Bristol Royal infirmary and on July 8, after more than two weeks in a coma, he died.
It was a moment that caused Mr Williams to say "the plug has been pulled from the bottom of my world, causing the colour and joy to be drained from it".
It was the second time Mr Williams and Gabrielle, had suffered the anguish of losing a child.
Joe's brother Ben, who was born 18 months before Joe, had died when just days old.
After the hearing Mr Williams took the opportunity to thank people for their support and the pride he and Joe's mother take from being Joe's parents.
The gifted and popular mathematician had just finished his first year of A-levels in psychology, business studies, sports studies and maths at St Brendan's Sixth Form College.
Mr Williams said: "We would like to take this opportunity to say thanks to all the people who have supported us. It is humbling for us to witness the touching messages and wonderful gestures in memory of Joe.
"As Joe's parents we are so proud to have such an amazing son and brother and every day we continue to battle with the unbearable grief of knowing he has been taken from us in the most cruel way. I know Joe will always be remembered in the right reasons."
At the end of the 80-minute hearing Mr Williams stared at both defendants. They both chose to look at the floor as they heard their fate in a packed courtroom.
Moments beforehand a letter from Sanderson-Hunt to Joe's family was read in court and a similar letter from Swift was handed to police to give to the family.
Sanderson-Hunt's letter said: "I know that I will never know the pain that I have caused you. I need you to know that I never wanted to cause Joe any harm.
"It was a horrible mistake and I do not understand how it all went so horribly wrong.
"I will not insult you by asking for forgiveness, but if I could take it back I would in an instant. I'm so sorry."
Sentencing Swift and Sanderson-Hunt Mr Justice Foskett said: "Joe had a promising future that was snuffed out in a few seconds when trying to act as a peacemaker in the face of a drunk young lady and her boyfriend.
"If ever there was a case where the dangers of under-age drinking are demonstrated, this must seriously be it," Mr Justice Foskett added.
"They were all out that night intent on having a good time.
"I have no doubt that there inability to cope with the large quantities of alcohol they consumed played a significant part in what took place."
28 Comments
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by Anon, bristol
Sunday, June 21 2009, 10:44PM
“Gilly, I think we get the point you are making, albeit using pidgeon english. But, you do seem to be missing the point yourself (as well as a spellchecker). Nice people don't kill others, nice people do not, as a rule, attack others. Killers do not have to be rehabilitated, just imprisoned, for ever and ever amen.”
by PETER, BIRMINGHAM
Thursday, June 18 2009, 9:22PM
“a life for a life, just my opinion”
by H, birmingham
Thursday, June 18 2009, 9:15PM
“i'm sorry gilly but you must be a follower of a god because from that message it is clear you believe in equality and justice etc, but you cannot be sane in thinking that we should not post evil comments which only express our grief and sadness. i think it is good that people have posted negitivity as we are entitled to our own opinion, and i cannot believe the mother of tom swift could say that it was unfair that her son got murder. they both should have got murder and full life sentences. joe's family are lifeless with grief that no one could or ever will understand.
And no gilly, mrs swift's heart is not broken, her son will come out in 9 years and return to his normal life and she will have and hold him once more. gabrielle and johnny will never see or hold their son ever again, they will never have their sunshine back in their life. so that is real heart break, not someone's son being locked up for a few years over something he did. they are completely different.
If you are in favour of tom swift or jack sanderson hunt's personalities please do not comment on here. go and preach your love for them elsewhere as there is no way in hell that from this article anyone would see those boys as kind and warm hearted.
It is good to pent your anger, instead of keeping it up inside. so strangers who didnt know joe or the murderers, please carry on showing your views and opinions.”
by Gilly, bristol
Thursday, June 18 2009, 12:33AM
“This is a free country? This is a place for open opinion? My question? How many of you who have commented on the Swift Family actually really know them? Actually really know them and how many of you are jumping on the band wagon? So much aggression. Is this for Joe or perhaps 'red mist' food for thought eh. see how easy it is to loose control ? Luckly this anger is verbal assualt not physical. Let he who cast the first stone be without sin. Just for the record I am not a follower of any god. I am a person who is saddened. Who really knows what happening that night. How can drunken teenagers be valid whitnessess. Wondering how the two young females feel right now? Guessing they knew exaclty how to play the boys against the boys. Evil is a strong word . Both mums gave birth to innocent children both mums just wanted their boys to be have good and happy lives . Both mums love and protect their babes. Both mums are wonderfull mums. Both mums are good mums, Both mums hearts are broken forever. Do any of us have children so we can breed potental killers and victims ? Of course we dont. Please dont use such vile comments. Take a good long look in the mirror first and look yourself in the eye and ask the question- What has it to do with me? LEAVE these grief stricken people alone. I guess some people have so much anger and agression pent up inside that it has to be taken out on strangers.- well done all of you who have made dreadful comments and know nothing about the individuals. Just for good measure perhaps bags of stones could be sold at street corners this way stoning could once more be introduced in to our so say sophicated 21st centuary society.”
by Djs, Bristol
Monday, June 15 2009, 2:10PM
“Quote from Yvonne Swift, "I would challenge anyone to find a more honest and nice person convicted of murder". Your son is so "honest" that he gave false details when stopped by the police following the incident!!. Wake up Mrs Swift!! your son isn't the person you like to think he is...he is an utter coward who savagely kicked a defenceless lad while he lay injured on the ground. Please have some respect for Joes family and stop making ridiculous comments. Your son isn't a nice person, he is a murderer!”
by Tammy, Bristol!
Monday, June 15 2009, 10:56AM
“No point people coming on here commenting about how nice and lovley thomas was.. because if he was that nce he wudnt have done it in the first place. No matter wot any one says Joe is still gone and those two boys have to live with that. they deserve to put away for life for what they did!!”
by Beverley O', Bristol
Monday, June 15 2009, 10:23AM
“How dare anyone disrespect this family and what they are going through by writing in support of these two murderers. You do not have the self respect to keep your opinion to yourself and like minded persons. As for the family of the two murderers do not compare yourself with a family that raised a BOY who died a MAN.
Please please do not lower yourself any further by justifying your sons action that night. Leave Joe's family to try and find peace and to hold there heads high and be proud of themselves for bringing such a wonderful person into the world who has now touched the lives of thousands of people.”
by Bristol bird, bristol
Monday, June 15 2009, 10:03AM
“Yourmystar is demented. How can someone "normal" be that vicious to kick a man when hes down. Your little mate, is nothing but a coward. a vicious bully!!! I really hope that while hes at the big house his 9 years are served with him watching over his shoulder just in case he gets bullied, I understand u may be his friend but like his mother, people like you insult joes memory, you also insult the intelligence of his dear parents and sisters and people who loved joe. You and the boys mother should shut your mouths and discuss what a 'lovely" boy he is in private!”
by Vicky, Whitchurch
Monday, June 15 2009, 8:18AM
“Yourmystar, nice boys don't kick people in the head when they're down. Full stop.
The argument regarding Sanderson-Hunts first punch is irrelevant and let me explain why.
In the eyes of the law, Sanderson-Hunt DID throw the first punch, but there was no intent - 'mens rea' to kill Joe.
Once Joe was on the floor, unconcious, the back of his skull fractured and bleeding, Swift kicked him in the head.
This is where the differences between the manslaughter charge against Sanderson-Hunt and Swift is realised.
Sanderson-Hunt wanted to fight Joe - not necessairily kill him.
Once a man is on the floor, bleeding and unconcious, it is common sense that tells us that a kick to the head - of any kind, let alone one of the force Swift delivered - is not going to aid his recovery - at the very least it will prolong his recovery time, and at worst it will kill him.
Swift had, in the eyes of the law, 'mens rea'. He knew, when kicking Joe, that he was going to cause more damage to him. Thats why he is up on murder - the court deemed it acceptable that he wanted to kill Joe.
Only Swift knows if this is true, and he's not exactly a trustworthy lad.
He ran from the scene, gave a false name to the police and denied any part in the attack right up until the day Joe died.
All these comments that tell us Swift is a 'nice lad' are absolute rubbish.
Nice boys don't kick others in the head. Nice boys don't run from the police, and nice boys don't then lie through their teeth.
A nice boy would not be in the situation. However a MAN would have held his hands up, pleaded guilty and spared the Dymond-Williams family and friends the pain of a court case. The pain of having to relive Joes last moments over and over.
Swift and Sanderson-Hunt are, in my eyes, killers. They should be locked up, the key throw away, and left to rot in a stinking 2ft square cell.
But the justice system has let us down.
Sanderson-Hunt will live out his sentence in a Youth Offenders Institute, where he'll have a games console, a TV, an abundunce of visitation rights and in general, a comfy time. He'll be out before he turns 20.
Swift will serve 9 years in a 'big mans' prison, where admittedly, he'll have a harder time but it's only for 9 years - his family and friends can visit him, and continue to support this 'poor boy' through his time - I do wish they'd wake up and leave him to suffer but hey...some people just love a cold blooded monster.
We h6wever will have to visit Joe's grave to get close to him. We can talk to him, but he can't talk back.
Yourmystar and all you other monster lovers out there please take time to think about what you are doing when you defend these murderers.
Joe was a nice boy. Joe wouldn't have kicked someone when he was down - he'd have probably tried to help the poor lad, and would have risked his life once again doing so.
To call Swift a nice boy is an insult to Joes memory, which is now cherished by the many who loved him.
When you've been the the funeral of one of your friends who was beaten to death, please come back and tell us if your thoughts are still the same.
I just hope to God you never have to go through it, because it is the most gut-wrenching experience ever.
Those evil cowards should rot in hell for what they did.”
by Adrian, Bristol
Monday, June 15 2009, 6:39AM
“To quote yourmystar, "he dosnt go around swearing and hitting people , hes a normal boy"
No, he dosn't hit people, he kicks them in the head and kills them, this is not what normal boys do...”