A mother and her twin children are advocating for stricter measures against parents who cause serious harm to their offspring. Jo Early, aged 54, expressed concern over Gavin Gibbs’ ability to maintain contact with their 18-year-old daughter, Abi, despite being imprisoned for causing severe injury to her brother, Charlie.
Gibbs, who was convicted of breaking Charlie’s arm, was not found guilty of murdering the three-month-old infant. The current legal framework only revokes parental rights in cases where a partner is convicted of murder under “Jade’s Law.” Jo is now pushing for parents who commit murder or inflict significant harm on their children to be subject to similar restrictions.
In an emotional statement to the Mirror, Jo emphasized the detrimental impact of allowing perpetrators access to young children, highlighting the lasting psychological trauma it inflicts. Abi, who had received gifts and messages from Gibbs until her 18th birthday, shared her conflicting emotions about the situation, revealing the confusion and heartbreak caused by her father’s actions.
Gibbs received a three-year sentence for grievous bodily harm, which was later reduced to two years following a successful appeal. Despite Jo’s request for him to relinquish parental responsibility, Gibbs only agreed to do so under the condition of maintaining contact with Abi. Jo is now advocating for automatic removal of parental rights in such cases and has sought support from key figures in the legal and victims’ rights sectors.
The tragic events unfolded after Jo’s twins were born in 2008, leading to Charlie’s untimely death and a harrowing journey for the family. Jo’s efforts to protect Abi and prevent similar tragedies in the future have garnered support from various quarters, including Victims Commissioner Claire Waxman.
To show your support for Jo’s cause, you can sign her petition by visiting the provided link.
