The struggle of the Hillsborough parents continues as they embark on their final legal effort for justice concerning their beloved daughters.
In poignant words, Jenni Hicks expresses her relentless commitment, saying, "Every time I think I've reached my limit and am ready to give up, I look at the photographs of my daughters and realize I simply cannot stop fighting." Her daughters, Victoria and Sarah, tragically lost their lives among the 97 Liverpool fans during the devastating Hillsborough disaster on April 15, 1989.
Jenni, alongside her ex-husband Trevor Hicks, is spearheading a new initiative aimed at amending official court records from the 1990s. These records inaccurately declare that their daughters were unconscious within moments and succumbed to their injuries shortly thereafter. However, extensive evidence from subsequent inquiries, including a significant second inquest held in 2016, has revealed that many victims remained aware for at least half an hour following the horrific crush.
To amend the official records, the approval of South Yorkshire Police is required, yet both Jenni and Trevor have reported that the police have thus far declined to permit a new hearing where a corrected statement could be publicly acknowledged in court. When asked about the police's stance, Chief Constable Lauren Poultney remarked to the BBC, "Under my leadership, South Yorkshire Police will take every possible step to support the families in their pursuit of justice."
On Monday, Jenni and Trevor are set to launch a renewed campaign, calling upon the judicial system, lawmakers, and the courts to explore the appropriate methods to rectify these erroneous records. Jenni shared with the BBC, "As a parent, coping with the loss of your children while being denied the full truth is excruciating. It has been 37 years, and even now, South Yorkshire Police refuse to correct the historical record."
Trevor views this endeavor as likely his "last stand" in seeking the truth after nearly four decades of relentless campaigning. "I'm approaching 80 years old, and I was in my early 40s when this ordeal began. Most of my adult life has been consumed by this fight," he reflected. "Logically, it would have been much simpler for the police or their legal team to issue a statement in an open court. Yet, they have chosen not to do so, forcing us, with the support of various politicians, to pursue a political avenue to rectify what could have been an easily resolved issue."
The records in question stem from a civil lawsuit filed in the early 1990s, where several families of Hillsborough victims sought compensation from South Yorkshire Police for the anguish suffered by their loved ones. In this case, Victoria, who was just 15, and her older sister Sarah, aged 19, became critical test cases.
Despite the Hicks family appealing all the way to the House of Lords, the decision ultimately favored the police, leaving them to face considerable legal expenses. Their case was undermined by the misleading so-called "30-second rule," which falsely assumed that all victims had become unconscious within half a minute of the incident. Additionally, the police's legal representatives asserted that each victim had died before 3:15 PM GMT, a claim that was later proven to be completely false.
The court determined that Sarah and Victoria experienced "swift and sudden deaths" based on medical testimonies. Nonetheless, numerous witnesses reported that Victoria was visibly distressed and crying for some time, while Sarah was also observed in a state of intense panic over her sister’s well-being.
New medical evidence presented during the later inquiries indicated that those who died from asphyxia at Hillsborough likely endured varying levels of pressure and consciousness over an extended timeframe, suggesting prolonged suffering rather than immediate death.
As part of their latest campaign, Jenni and Trevor plan to address a parliamentary event in Westminster, organized by Baroness Helena Kennedy KC, which aims to gather Members of Parliament, peers, and legal experts to discuss this pressing issue. Although Chief Constable Poultney was invited to attend, she indicated her unavailability but offered to meet privately with the Hicks family at a more suitable time.
Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC, who serves as lead counsel for Jenni and Trevor Hicks, emphasized that their case raises fundamental questions regarding the legal system's ability to rectify itself when new evidence contradicts earlier judgments. "This situation transcends the Hillsborough case. It probes whether the legal framework possesses the courage and mechanisms necessary for self-correction when new insights reveal prior assumptions to be incorrect," she stated.
Gallagher firmly noted, "The conclusions drawn by the 2012 Hillsborough Independent Panel and the fresh inquests are unequivocal. Sarah and Victoria did not experience 'swift and sudden deaths'—far from it. They endured an agonizing hour filled with pain and suffering, yet the official legal record remains unchanged. This is simply unacceptable, and we are resolute in our mission to amend the record."
Jenni expressed that for her and Trevor, this is the "final legal recourse" they can pursue for their daughters. However, she added, "This endeavor extends beyond just rectifying the truth for our beautiful girls; it is also for every individual who lost their life that day and for other families grappling with similar injustices and erroneous legal documents."
In response, Chief Constable Poultney acknowledged the "serious errors and mistakes" made by her force, which have resulted in "lives being lost" and have caused considerable distress. She expressed her deep regret over the pain inflicted on Mr. and Mrs. Hicks and others due to the court's findings and recognized that the absence of a viable option to challenge these outcomes has compounded their suffering. "I wish Mr. and Mrs. Hicks the best of luck as they approach the parliamentary event."
What do you think about the ongoing fight for justice in the Hillsborough case? Do you believe the legal system should have mechanisms in place to amend past mistakes? Join the conversation and share your thoughts!
