Ellie Gould: Mum of murdered Calne teen blasts justice secretary Robert Buckland over sentencing reforms

The Goulds have campaigned for ‘Ellie’s Law’ since their daughter’s killer Thomas Griffiths was jailed for a minimum of 12-and-a-half years last November.

Griffiths was 17 when he went to the home of his ex-girlfriend in Springfield Drive, Calne, stabbed her at least 13 times and left her with her hand on the knife handle.

The devastated family have since been at the forefront of proposals to bring the minimum term for child murderers closer to the adult sentencing regime – a minimum of 15 years – but learned this week that any new legislation would not have applied to Griffiths.

Carole and Ellie Gould

Mr Buckland, the South Swindon MP, presented his white paper in the House of Commons on Wednesday.

Ellie’s mum Carole Gould told the Daily Mail Mr Buckland had told her over the phone that it is likely only offenders who take a lethal weapon to the scene of the crime would face longer jail terms. Griffiths used a knife from Ellie’s kitchen.

“How can Mr Buckland talk about coming down hard on violent offenders when the Government is only tackling some violent offenders?” said Mrs Gould.

“We couldn’t believe what we were hearing when Mr Buckland confirmed the new legislation wouldn’t apply to somebody like Griffiths.

“I feel like we have been used, with Ellie acting as the poster girl for legislation which would not have helped in her case. We are so deflated.”

Justice secretary Robert Buckland

Mrs Gould told the Mail she has written to North Wiltshire James Gray to insist Ellie’s name be removed from the proposals if the white paper is not amended.

She and her husband Matthew also want to see an end to the provision which allows young offenders to apply to have their minimum term reduced once every two years.

Mrs Gould said she was told by Mr Buckland his reforms will mean offenders get only one chance to do this, but added: “The loophole which allows an offender to have that term reduced should not exist at all.”

Mr Buckland said: "The white paper published earlier this week does not represent the limit of the reforms we want to make to sentencing. Work in this area is complex and will continue so the public is better protected from violent criminals."

The Ministry of Justice says the sentencing gap between older children and adults who commit serious offences will be reduced as part of the plans – with 15-17 year olds facing a minimum of 20 years in jail.

A spokesperson said: “This was a truly horrific crime and our thoughts are with Ms Gould and the rest of Ellie’s family and friends. We will continue to speak with the family as we explore options and develop our new sentencing legislation.”