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'Why can't I meet my step-son's killer?'

A grieving Herefordshire woman wants people who kill to be forced to meet their victim's relatives, four years after her step-son was murdered.

A grieving Herefordshire woman wants people who kill to be forced to meet their victim's relatives, four years after her step-son was murdered.

In 2021, three men were jailed for life after beating 51-year-old Carl Dyche to death, in his own back garden in Kington, in front of his wife and step-son.

The popular builder died in hospital three days after, having suffered a stroke and blood clot to the brain, in what West Mercia Police called a 'brutal' attack.

Carl's step-mum Joan Dyche has been trying to meet one of the killers, 30-year-old Luke Bellis, to get answers over what caused the fight, under a policy known as 'Restorative Justice'. But because the attacker's got to agree to it, she's not getting anywhere.

Tom Edwards reports.

It was March 2023 when the three killers were jailed for life, as well as Luke Bellis, 21-year-old Ajay Price and John Lock, who was 35, were found guilty after a trial.

The court heard how the men had been known to Mr Dyche, and turned up at his house drunk, before turning on him in a "completely unprovoked" attack.

A statement from the Ministry of Justice said: "This was a terrible crime, and we extend our deepest sympathies to Carl Dyche鈥檚 family and friends."

The statement adds: "While we support restorative justice to help victims and reduce reoffending, the safety and welfare of participants must always take priority - especially in serious cases like murder."

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5 minutes