Mother of Ipswich stabbing victim pleads for killer’s appeal to be thrown out
Joshua Howell is currently serving life, with his appeal being heard today.
The mother of an 18-year-old man who was stabbed to death in Ipswich says she is “outraged” that one of her son’s killers has been allowed to appeal his life sentence, urging judges to “please go over the footage” before making their decision.
Today, 20-year-old Joshua Howell will have his appeal application heard at the Court of Appeal in London.
Howell and co-defendant Alfie Hammett were both jailed in March 2024 for the murder of Raymond James Quigley, known as James, from Wymondham in Norfolk, who was fatally stabbed in Westgate Street in January 2023.
They're facing minimum terms of 24 and 20 years, respectively.
The court heard the attack was a planned, gang-related “retribution” assault. James was chased into a card shop and died from multiple stab wounds to his torso, back and chest.
“Please go over the footage”
Speaking ahead of the hearing, James’s mother, Margaret Oakes, said she cannot understand why Howell’s case is being reconsidered.
“I would say to the court, please go over the footage. Please look at what he has done. Look at what Joshua Howell said in court. He lied and lied. He’s a danger to have,” she said.
“If there’s any justice, please throw this appeal out. He showed what he’s capable of; he showed no remorse whatsoever. And even so, it shows even more that he has no remorse to appeal.”
Mrs Oakes said if the appeal is granted, she will be at every single court case, determined to “fight for her boy’s justice”.
“If it goes ahead, yes, I will be at every single court case,” she said.
“I will be standing there fighting for my boy’s justice, every one of them, all the way.”
“Life should mean life”
She added that she believes killers should never be released from prison.
“When someone takes someone’s life, I believe thoroughly life should be life,” she said.
“They should have life in a prison cell until they take their last breath, like they took my baby boy’s.
“He’s a danger to the public. He deserves every bit of time and more, if possible.” "
Background
Howell, now 20, was sentenced to a minimum of 20 years, while Hammett received 24 years
During sentencing, Judge Martyn Levett said the killing was a “planned, targeted and deliberate” act of gang-related retribution. He told Howell and Hammett they had shown “no true remorse” for what they had done.
In interviews following the sentencing, Mrs Oakes said she hoped her son’s story would serve as a warning to others about the devastating consequences of knife crime, urging young people to “think before you pick up a weapon.”
The appeal
Howell’s second appeal application will be heard at the Court of Appeal today (Tuesday, 28 October).
The outcome of the hearing has not yet been announced.