Family of murdered Slaithwaite boy Ryan Hawkins mark third anniversary of his death

Sep 23 2010 by Sam Casey, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

THE family of Ryan Hawkins today mark the third anniversary of his murder – as they prepare to march in his memory.

Ryan, who was four, was stabbed to death by his father, Christopher Hawkins, on September 23, 2007.

His mother, Val Gee, and sisters, 18-year-old Natalie and Donna, who is 17, plan to visit St James Church in Slaithwaite, where his ashes are buried, today to pay their respects.

Then, on Saturday, they will be joined by 13 other relatives and friends to walk through London as part of the Families Fighting for Justice campaign.

The campaign was started to put pressure on the Government to ensure stiffer penalties for killers.

Val, 43, said: “Life should mean life.

“When someone is given a life sentence, you expect them to die inside.

“The march is about channelling the way that we feel into doing something positive and trying to get a change in the law. We are dedicating it to Ryan and we’ll be there with our banners and with T-shirts with Ryan’s picture on.”

Hawkins, who was 47, stabbed Ryan nine times at his home on Royd Street in Slaithwaite.

Ryan’s sister Donna, who was 14 at the time, was stabbed more than 20 times in the same frenzied attack.