A ‘TRUE inspiration’ whose two sons were killed by their abusive dad in a house fire has been praised having bravely released a book about her harrowing story.
Claire Throssell, from Penistone, teamed up with Millhouse Green-based author Michelle Rawlins for the book, called For My Boys.
Having been released last week at an event at the All Is Good cafe in Penistone, it tells Claire’s heartbreaking story and her subsequent tale of determination to seek justice for her sons - 12-year-old Jack and nine-year-old Paul - and give a voice to all children who are at risk at the hands of an abusive parent.
After she found the strength to leave her husband of 16 years, Darren Sykes, his ‘campaign of brutality’ didn’t end but the courts ignored her - and their sons’ - wishes and gave him unsupervised access despite Claire’s concerns of him harming them.
The brothers were lured to the attic of their father’s home, on Tennyson Close, Penistone, with the promise of a new train set on October 22, 2014.
On the day of the fire, Sykes spent £600 on model railway equipment and sent texts to his sons telling them what he had bought, saying he needed ‘two engine drivers’.
He then barricaded the children inside and started the blaze which claimed their lives and his own.
“There’s no book out there that tells you how to live without your children,” Claire said.
“That’s because writing this book and being 100 per cent honest has almost broken me.
“However, if it helps just one person, then it’s been worth all the pain.
“This book is for anybody who’s lost a child and it’s also for anybody who’s going through domestic abuse or has been through domestic abuse.
“It may help some people change their lives or validate their own situations.
“It’s a book about love, it’s about loss - it’s about my fight for justice for Jack and Paul - and it’s a lasting testimony to them that will be there now forever.
“I battle to ensure that no more families are ripped apart leaving parents torn and broken like me.
“For far too long children’s voices have been lost in the family courts and for far too long survivors of domestic abuse and their children are made to feel invisible.
“But love can give you strength that you never know you have, and the love you have for your children is the greatest love of all.
“I had to make their deaths count for something - they didn’t die in vain - and I take strength from the love they left behind.”
Mayor of Penistone Hannah Kitching, who attended the book launch, paid tribute to Claire.
“It was such an honour to be invited - Claire is a formidable campaigner for domestic abuse victims and this book is searingly honest and heartbreaking,” she added.
“Domestic abusers seek to silence their victims and make them invisible.
“Claire has refused to be silenced and has used her voice to campaign for changes in the law to protect children.
“All this work is for her boys, Jack and Paul, who lost their lives and voices in the most devastating way possible.
“This book is their story as well as hers.
“The Penistone community has supported and saved Claire over the past 11 years and it was wonderful to see so many people come and share with her their own memories and love.
“Penistone will never forget Jack and Paul, and Claire’s book cherishes their memories.”
Acclaimed authors Milly Johnson and Michelle Rawlins paid tribute to their friend.
Since the tragedy - which shocked the entire country - Claire’s campaigned to secure a law change.
Her ex-husband had a known history of domestic abuse, including making statements that he was capable of killing.
‘Presumption of contact’ - which is a legal principle which allows parents who have a known history of domestic abuse to have unsupervised contact with their children - is what should be scrapped, according to Claire who has submitted a petition with more than 100,000 signatures to the government.
Milly said: “I know that Claire didn’t plan for this life which has been thrust upon her, I know that she never intended to be the voice for others but so many children already owe their lives to her.
“She has saved generations by changing laws.
“Claire is an iron fist in a velvet glove, she has an indomitable spirit and a will of titanium.
“And yet, at heart, she has a core of gentleness of humility.
“She is the strongest, most resilient, selfless person I know and it is an honour to call her my friend.
“I know she won’t stop her crusade until she has what she needs from the government and they owe her this - and they owe it to the vulnerable children they are meant to care about.”
Michelle added: “This book is a testament to Claire’s beautiful boys, Jack and Paul, who were so cruelly taken from her far too soon.
“It is also a call to the government to abolish the presumption of contact culture in the family court, to ensure children are free from harm and fear.
“No child should die at the hands of a parent and Claire is determined to never stop campaigning until the government takes meaningful action to ensure every a brighter, safer, future for all victims of domestic abuse.
“It was an absolute privilege to work with Claire on this book - I hope the government will now sit up and listen.”
