Fred Fricker, the Lib Dem candidate who beat Kim Keight was pushed into
local politics after fighting for Justice regarding the murder of
his stepson. Lee Kinch aged only 14 was stabbed and killed by a
local well known schizophrenic in the Huyton Area. The subsequent
inquiry by Knowsley Council and Knowsley Hospitals Trust saw 'No
shortcomings' in the operations of agencies who simply dumped
this mentally ill man in an area which, to be frank, would have
made matters worse. Despite warnings, Knowsley Council thought
little about placing mentally ill people in unsupervised
surroundings with little pro active support. Give them the
pills and hope for the best. Knowsley Councils subsequent
whitewash of the affair only made matters worse.
Tragedy was a disaster waiting to happen
Lee Kinch was stabbed after the schizophrenic,
Leo Gavan, a one armed man, was taunted by gangs of local youths who
congregated near his home. The man had endured a lot of abuse and as stated
this was a recipe for disaster. This time, Leo Gavan simply exploded
and ran after the youths. He stabbed a young lad nearby who had nothing
to do with the gang who had all fled. This young lad was Lee Kinch, the
step son of Fred Fricker, the man who beat Jim Keight the leader of the
Council which had whitewashed and covered up the tragic case.
Care in the Community?
Care in the Community really meant leave the mentally ill to care
for themselves. George Harrison was another victim of Knowsley's 'care
in the community' policy. Former heroin addict/schizophrenic Michael Abram,
who tried to knife the former Beatle to death in 99 because he "thought
Harrison was an Alien" has been seen casually strolling to his local shops
close to the hostel where he has lived since he was released from a mental
health clinic last year. After attempting to kill George Harrison in 1999,
he's free to walk the streets. Abram now receives injections every fortnight
to control his schizophrenia. As long as due care and attention is given to
these people then all will be well, but as usual some pen-pusher will decide
that costs need to be cut and the proper care is likely to less than adequate.
Bittersweet Victory.
On Thursday Night, there is no doubting who was in Fred's thoughts
as he stepped up to accept his victory. Since 1996 Fred and his family
have struggled to persuade Knowsley Council to be more open regarding
the case of Lee Kinch and have asked Jack Straw to intervene, without
success, as is the case with the Kevan Sloan Family and the Hillsborough
campaigners all let down by Straw. Now Fred Fricker has defeated the leader
of the Council and will now sit in the same seat of power which frustrated
him and many others in Knowsley.
Cover Up?
Kirkby Times will be trying to put online as much information as we can
on the case of Lee Kinch. The care in the community scandal was the child
of the Tories but Knowsley Council had the opportunity to make sure they
set a standard of care and provision which ensured the safety of ALL the
community. Schizophrenics are not generally violent people if they are
treated and looked after. In the case of Leo Gavan, it is likely that
he, like many others, never took his medication. But if Knowsley Council
and others involved are going to dump these vulnerable people in run
down accommodation, it is a recipe for disaster.
Knowsley Council and the other agencies involved have ultimately
taken two lives away and destroyed many more. Anyone who has ever
battled like Fred and his Family will know that it is not often there
is any hope. This victory gives hope to anyone who is looking for Justice.
Kirkby Times wishes Fred all the best of luck on his outstanding victory and
from all accounts we are sure he will make a good all round Councillor.
Names should be named, Justice should be done.
There should be a Public Inquiry regarding the murder of Lee Kinch.
His killer was under the alleged care and supervision of local
authorities. That the authorities have failed us is not in question,
but not surprisingly, they have investigated themselves, behind closed
doors, and found no problems. Knowsley Council and all those who refused
to come clean to the Public on this whole sorry affair should hang their
heads in shame. Names should be named. Justice must be done. There is no
doubt that the people involved in positions of Authority here seem to more
interested in their own self preservation than in Justice. No wonder the
Country is in a mess, when our 'representatives' are accountable to no-one
but themselves. The answer is for those of us who see injustice to take
the plunge and contest the corrupt council, Fred Fricker has done that
and whatever his political beliefs, his courage and determination is
clear. Where many would have given up, understandably so, this man
has fought on and is an example to us all that we can maybe make a
difference.
We hope this issue is now finally bought to our attention and
that the details of this whole sorry case can be laid bare so
that Justice is done and may be seen to be done. The days of
Knowsley Councils secretive nature is coming to an end. Little
by little, the old gang will be broken up, democracy is within
our grasp.
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