A mother of two boys who were tragically killed by their father has shared the heartbreaking moments she spent with her dying sons. Claire Throssell’s sons, Jack, 12, and Paul, 9, lost their lives in a devastating fire set by their father in Penistone, near Sheffield. Despite Claire’s warnings to social workers and the family court system about her ex-husband’s potential for violence, he was granted unsupervised access to the children, a decision based on the legal principle of promoting contact between children and both parents.
In a poignant memoir after years of advocacy, Claire recounts the heart-wrenching experience of saying goodbye to her sons in a hospital room. She vividly describes the anguish of holding Paul as he passed away, reminiscing about his birth and the stark contrast of seeing his lifeless body. Despite her pleas and love, Paul slipped away, leaving Claire shattered with grief.
The harrowing ordeal continued as Jack fought for his life in a burns unit, where despite efforts to save him, he eventually succumbed to his injuries. Claire’s world shattered as she witnessed the futile attempts to revive her son, realizing the extent of his injuries and the inevitability of his passing. The pain and loss she endured were compounded by the cruel reality that her sons were taken from her by their own father, driven by anger and hatred.
In a moment of profound sadness and determination, Claire made a solemn vow to prevent such tragedies from happening to other families. She expressed her love and grief for her sons, Jack and Paul, and her unwavering commitment to advocating for changes in the family court system to protect children from harm.
Claire’s emotional journey is captured in her book, “For My Boys,” which calls for reform in parental contact guidelines. The book, featuring a foreword by Mel B, highlights the tragic loss of Jack and Paul and urges the government to address critical issues in family law to prevent further tragedies. Through her story, Claire aims to raise awareness and support for families affected by domestic abuse and violence.