Britain's Most Evil Dad: "Mask Slipped And Monster Came Out"

Claire Throssell’s story is one of unimaginable loss, survival and a fight for change. In this episode of Key Witness Aftermath, Daisy Maskell talks with Claire Throssell, the mother of Jack and Paul Sykes, to discuss the abuse she suffered during her marriage to Darren Sykes, the warning signs that were missed, the failures she says took place within the family court system, and the devastating events of October 2014. Claire speaks about the years of coercive control and domestic abuse, the moment she left the family home to protect her children, and the court decision that allowed unsupervised contact with their father. She also shares what happened on the day of the fire, the bravery of her sons Jack and Paul, and how their legacy has driven her campaign to change the law around parental involvement and child safety. This is a difficult but important conversation about domestic abuse, family court, unsafe contact, coercive control, familicide, grief, justice and the long aftermath that continues once the headlines fade. Key Witness Aftermath is a true crime interview series exploring the human stories behind real cases, told through the voices of those closest to them. Subscribe for more episodes of Key Witness Aftermath. Content warning: This episode contains discussion of domestic abuse, coercive control, child death, serious injuries and trauma. If you or someone you know is affected by domestic abuse, please seek support from a trusted organisation or local emergency services. Some archive material used in this episode is included under fair dealing for the purposes of criticism/review and / or quotations (Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988). All sources are credited below:  Video Footage outside the house after the incivent and news report Youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71cq0LZsTqo Image Darren Sykes and kids at paintballing ? https://metro.co.uk/2015/03/03/divorce-dad-lured-his-two-sons-into-the-attic-with-train-set-then-burned-them-alive-5086356/ Headline News headline in hook The Mirror https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/heartbreaking-first-pictures-inside-fire-ravaged-5560936 Headline News headline in hook The Metro https://metro.co.uk/2014/10/30/my-sons-were-lured-to-their-deaths-in-attic-by-their-evil-father-mother-describes-her-heartbreak-at-losing-boys-to-fire-4927738/ Headline News headline in hook The Mirror https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/first-picture-dad-killed-along-4491734 Image Wedding photo Google https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1223719/domestic-abuse-parental-rights-Claire-throssell Video Claire Meeting Keir Starmer Daily Motion https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x9shona Video Keir Starmer In Commons Facebook https://www.facebook.com/peoplepowerchange/videos/after-a-decade-of-tireless-campaigning-claire-throssells-fight-for-her-sons-jack/1828162904452591/ #ClaireThrossell #JackAndPaul #KeyWitnessAftermath #TrueCrime #DomesticAbuseAwareness #investigation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices