Josie off to school

Canterbury - 09 September 1999;Reproduced with the Kind Permission of The Kent Messenger

JOSIE Russell, the schoolgirl who survived the horrific hammer attack which killed her mother and sister, this week started senior school.

Coupled with the news that Josie, aged 12, who lives in Wales with her father Shaun, has moved happily from primary to senior school, comes confirmation that she has received more than double the original compensation awarded.

Her mother Lin and sister Megan were killed as they walked home to Chillenden from Goodnestone Primary School three years ago.

Josie was left for dead and the family dog was also killed.

Investments are now in place to ensure a trust fund for Josie for the £176,000 she has received, an increase of £97,000 on the original amount that was, negotiated by Canterbury lawyer Sarah Harman.

Speaking from their cottage home in Llanllyfni, near Caernavon, Mr Russell said that he had been relieved to see Josie go off to school with a big smile on her face.

She seemed so confident that he said he was considering allowing her to walk the one mile to Dyffryn Nantlle School.

He said the transition from primary school to secondary school had not been a problem. "I thought she might have a few anxieties but everything has gone very well indeed." Mr Russell, a former lecturer at Kent University, said of the future: "I am looking forward to helping her with her homework and with activities at school as a parent."

He said the increased payout from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority had been made a year ago but the announcement had been delayed until a trust fund and investments to benefit Josie had been set up.

Sarah Harman said she was very pleased the amount of compensation had been increased. The initial offer, she said, had been derisory.