Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
News
Original poster

Lucy McHugh, you poor, poor girl

21 replies

Gingernaut · 03/07/2019 14:57

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-48856021

According to the latest court reports, a school friend told of Lucy's attempt to tell her mother about the lodger who eventually killed her.

And was told to get out of her 'fantasy land'.

She tried to tell and not even her family believed her.

OP posts:
ETgo · 03/07/2019 15:16

It’s very sad to read - this was very local to us and my youngest was at the same school and in the same year as Lucy and at the time when this happened there was a lot of talk/gossip about the home life situation but of course it’s impossible to know the truth unless directly involved.

I don’t know what the school knew about Lucy’s home life and obviously they can’t comment on this but I’d like to think that if any staff were made aware that they made the proper safeguarding referrals etc.

I’m not naive at all and know that some children don’t have the support that they should at home and I’d like to think the pupils know they can talk to any staff members if they have things going on at home ☹️

PerkingFaintly · 03/07/2019 15:27

Yes, I've just been reading that.Sad

The friend who tried to help her says she 'stopped raising concerns in order to "protect" Lucy from her family.'

So sounds like Lucy's family were punishing her because the friend raised concerns.

usernameuser · 03/07/2019 18:00

The friend told her own mum and her mum then spoke to the mother/step father and they still did nothing! WTH?!

usernameuser · 03/07/2019 18:11

I’d like to think that if any staff were made aware that they made the proper safeguarding referrals etc.

Just read that 2 different teachers in 2 different schools had reported the fact she spoke of having an older 'boyfriend' to ss, they investigated and thought she was lying. Jesus.

Original poster
Gingernaut · 03/07/2019 18:14

Sounds like her own family were gaslighting her.

OP posts:
Mirali · 03/07/2019 18:57

Jesus. Poor kid.

Bluerussian · 03/07/2019 19:36

That is heartbreaking - only thirteen years old and no support from the family. Where could she go? She could have run away, turned herself in to the police and told them, then social services would have got involved. The guy had form for sex with a minor in 2012. However, that's hindsight.

I wonder how her family feel now, especially her mum.

He had worked as a carer. There are always crime stories about carers, I saw something on telly the other week about a murderer who was a carer and there have been others. Makes you wonder what checks are undertaken on people wanting to be carers - and wary about who you let into your home, or your elderly relatives homes.

Original poster
Gingernaut · 03/07/2019 22:32

The lack of safeguards and the lack of response from her own family is shocking.

Your heart just breaks for her.

OP posts:
FizzBuzzBangWoof · 18/07/2019 22:34

Tragic Sad

Thank goodness he has been convicted but agree it is shocking that the school did refer to SS but nothing was done to protect her

OrchidInTheSun · 18/07/2019 22:45

I find it despicable how the press have changed the reporting on this since he was convicted. When he was on trial, she was described as his lover, and a bit jealous and the photos of him showed him looking quite handsome and grinning with a beanie hat on.

It's only now that he's described as a rapist and the photo of him with all his obvious facial tattoos and a hard on are being made public.

If an adult male is on trial for having sex with a girl of 12 and 13, he is being tried for rape. He is not her lover.

Facebook also have some responsibility here. This disgusting piece of shit wouldn't give the police his Facebook password and Facebook wouldn't release it, hampering the investigation

Alloftit · 18/07/2019 22:49

My heart breaks for her. I know how it feels to finally feel brave enough to tell and to not be believed by your own mother. How hideously she was let down.

breakfastpizza · 18/07/2019 23:03

The mother should be locked up. She lied to SS about the child being left alone with adult males, ignored/downplayed repeated warnings from the school, and when the victim told her what was going on, chose not to believe her. The child didn't stand a chance in her "care".

TinklyLittleLaugh · 19/07/2019 00:04

The mother’s comments are appalling. That poor child.

Even in court the prosecutor said she was murdered “after the sexual relationship turned sour”. Turned sour Ffs she was a 12 year old child being regularly raped in her own home by a fucking psycho and no one gave a shit. Is that what passes for sweet romance these days then?

ChicCroissant · 19/07/2019 00:27

The evidence makes for grim reading Sad and so many people tried to help except her own family.

ETgo · 19/07/2019 04:46

It’s horrible to read how Lucy is described ie. her ‘relationship’ with him - I haven’t read too much as it’s far too close to home but what I have read has seemed as if they have forgotten she was 12/13 and a child, no mention of grooming etc and making out as if she was fully in control. Some things I’ve read seem to describe her as pestering him for sex. Awful.

loops2019 · 19/07/2019 14:11

Hi
Where can I read more about this case?
Surprised the mother and mother's partner haven't also been charged ?

FizzBuzzBangWoof · 19/07/2019 14:57

It doesn't seem to be getting as much media attention as you would expect but perhaps that is because there is an ongoing serious case review which I assume will examine why SS weren't more involved

The mother was negligent in her duty to protect her daughter at the very least and her failure as a parent has ultimately led to Lucy being groomed, abused and then murdered by a paedophile

TinklyLittleLaugh · 19/07/2019 18:42

It does sound like social services dropped the ball. So many people asked for help on her behalf but they seem to have taken her mother's word that she was a fantasist.

Her mother's coments are awful.

Aroundtheworldandback · 28/07/2019 23:36

Poor baby may she rest in peace. Most upsetting thing I think I’ve ever read

beanaseireann · 08/08/2019 16:24

Social Services dropped the ball again. Sad

SarahTancredi · 08/08/2019 16:30

Just when you think things cant be any worse, more crap comes out.

Poor girl Sad

New posts on this thread. Refresh page