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Below are a the comments received in support of Keran between 1st - 31st January 2008. Please feel free to submit your own by emailing us at support@carers4carers.co.uk

31\01\08

And we wonder why no one wants to come into children’s ministry! Keep your chin up Keran and family I will be praying for you, I firmly believe all children’s workers should be breathing a sigh of relief and saying 'there but for the grace of God.......

I was convinced at the time it was just the latest in a long line of "witch hunt" miscarriages, and the foreman's comments in the Times this week merely confirm that belief.

There was a presumption of guilt in your wife's case, not a presumption of innocence, and the jury obviously had no idea what "beyond reasonable doubt" really means.

Unfortunately, the "infallible doctor" is an item of faith in the justice system comparable to the notion of the "incorruptible policeman" in the 1970s and 1980s - Guildford, Birmingham, Bridgewater cases etc. - and it will take a complete cultural change to alter this. How many more innocent women will have to waste time in prison to achieve this?
 
A majority verdict is a disgrace in a case like this, built on supposition, by the way.

29\01\08

I have just read your story in last weeks Sunday supplement. (Yes I know it was out a week ago but that’s Sunday supplements for you!!!). Anyway joking aside, your story has moved me to tears. I really cannot understand how the justice system these days can continue to name itself in that way.

I really hope that you get all the support that you possibly can and that you Keran will soon be back with your family where you so obviously deserve to be. My sympathy's also go to Maeve's parents and I hope that they can find the truth in this matter, but it certainly seems to me that this case has gone in the wrong direction totally.

Wishing you all the best and hope that you can continue to find the strength to fight this to the end.

28/01/08

I drove though Iver seeing the yellow ribbons and had to read up on your website to see what it was all about. I am disgusted what Keran has had to go though but not just her other women that are put though this just because they do their job for caring for others.

I am a nursery nurse around Hillingdon and I am scared about harming a young child, not on purpose but you know just to touch a child nowadays can get you in trouble. I feel for Keran and her family having to go though this, it is a really unfair case, where she was only doing what she does best and from what I read the child was ill and this was only down to the child being ill this happened

I know it must be hard for the child's parents, which I can understand but Keran was doing her best shown by getting help calling other parents. I hope that something is down and that Keran can get out and get back on with her life doing what she does best and care for others. I wish her all the luck and support.

27/01/08

I've just read the article about Keran in last Sunday's Mail on Sunday.

I was horrified to read what Keran and her family have been through and just wanted to let you all know you are all in my thoughts (and those of many thousands of others I should imagine after reading the article) and have my total support.

I have been a victim of a similar injustice (the clear evidence / lack of evidence being ignored) although admittedly on a much less serious conviction which was eventually overturned on appeal, so I can relate to your frustration and despair at this clear miscarriage of justice. I was also very moved by the support Keran has been shown both at the time of her trial and since.

I pray and hope that this will be sorted out very soon - it should never have happened in the first place.

26/01/08

GIGO Garbage in garbage out. An over all view of this case indicates a huge probability that Keran must be totally innocent. So the evidence must be nonsense. Someone like this doesn't just snap as prosecution improperly claimed.    The doctor’s theories and poor science need examining. So it isn't just Witch doctors in the jungle who blame a mysterious death on human malevolence.  It would help if we all realised that chance could put most of us in Keran's shoes.

A court is a poor way to find truth in such cases as trial alone causes such immense damage to the innocent and friends and family - turning one sad accident- or natural causes tragedy into a greatly multiplied disaster with much more hurt and harm to bereaved parents though it seems that many (as in the jungle) may prefer to believe in malevolent cause over other causes.  Human nature hasn't changed since burning of witches.

Something in the nature of the trial I believe sets up a whole scene of prejudiced emotions. The defendant is already undergoing something like a prolonged crucifixion. I confess to my own pleasure when the baddy in a movie meets a sticky end.  This case and that of McLeod at Edinburgh show how the parents of child seem to want to believe a childminder guilty however improbably and no evidence beyond accident, natural causes etc.

Have "we" learned nothing from earlier cases e.g. Sheila Bowler, and The Cot deaths? How may thousands must have screamed "nonsense on hearing Meadow’s 73 million? But his malice continues its horrific influence. Medicine has often shown that fashions have been more influential than good science.  How can we stop this serial abuse of the justice system and unlucky parents and childminders?  Continuous loop CCTV could be useful - like black boxes in passenger aircraft. Parents could hire gear to cover the vulnerable first 2 or 3 years.

I would bet my life on Keran's innocence.

24/01/08

I read the article in the Mail with mounting disbelief! How can supposedly intelligent educated people not see that the evidence against Keran just wasn't there, I can’t believe that we are not in a third world system sometimes.

It is obvious to anyone, you don't have to be particularly bright, that Keran had only the interests of the child at heart or why did she always call the authorities when she thought that there was a problem with the child, and the manipulation of the "expert" witnesses to show the prosecutions case as they wanted it to be seen was almost criminal in itself.

My heart goes out to Keran and the rest of your family, I hope that sense prevails soon and the case is properly reviewed and she is released.

23/01/08

This is yet again another terrible injustice. Like cot death, shaken baby syndrome is not a fully understood fatality and most "experts" contradict themselves as they did in Karen's case. It seems so obvious in this case what with the baby having had previous episodes that this miscarriage of justice has taken place.

Now it not just the loss of a baby it’s the loss of a wife and a mother. I have a six year old and a 1 year old and I just can't imagine how hard it would be for them if I was suddenly taken away from them. My heart really goes out to Karen and her family. I really hope something can be done as soon as possible as her whole family is also being punished every day. My thoughts are with you.

Having read the article concerning this tragic event in the Sunday Mail, I am appalled that another innocent woman has been convicted of killing a baby in this way by these so called "experts".

Please accept this note as an expression of my support for your campaign to exonerate Keran.

22/01/08

After reading your story in the Mail on Sunday (20.1.08) I would just like to join with your many supporters hoping you and Keran will receive justice.

My family have experienced and are still experiencing the trauma following the death of my eldest son in 1989, due to medical negligence and the thoughtless attitude of legal and medical professionals.

I sincerely hope  you and Karen will get justice and those  responsible for Karen’s imprisonment will be forced to stand up to be counted and take the consequences.

I read your 'Mail on Sunday' article today. At the very beginning of Sally Clark's case I was very aware that the statistics Professor Meadows gave to the court were completely erroneous. I followed subsequent events and wrote to my MP on Sally's behalf as well as sending information and messages of support to Sally's father.

Since then we have seen Sally's case and those of Angela Cannings and Trudi Patel overturned, and Sally's tragic death.  'Expert witnesses', especially medical ones, have been found wanting in the extreme and yet these cases continue to be brought before the courts and these so-called experts' well-rewarded evidence is given precedence over the evidence of other witnesses and friends of long-standing.

I have become aware of similar cases and have become greatly disturbed by this appalling sickness in our justice system which robs good and caring people of their lives and awards no compensation when convictions are found to be 'unsafe'.

I assure you of my support and hope that a speedy appeal will see Keran restored to your family. With kind regards and best wishes to Keran.

21/01/08

I just wanted to write and say how desperately sorry I was to hear of this miscarriage of justice.  You would think after the other high-profile cases that lessons would have been learned, but it seems not.

Obviously, I feel for the baby’s parents, but if she had died in their care, then it would be one of them in prison now and not Keran.  I sincerely hope that it is not too long before you have enough evidence/information to have Keran’s conviction quashed. 

As a mum of three boys, I cannot imagine how it must be for Keran to be away from her sons, and it must be awful for you Iain to see her pain.  I send best wishes to you all in supporting her, keeping her strong, looking after yourselves, trying to keep things normal for the boys and making sure she gets out ASAP. 

You sound like you have so much support locally and wonderful friends, and I hope that encouragement and support from strangers further a field is helpful.  I will pray for your family, that you have the right legal support and that she will be back home with you soon.

I only read the article in Sunday's mail today and cannot help but make comparisons with the Sally Clark and Angela Canning cases. It would seem that someone must be held accountable at all costs, when an infant dies in apparently unexplainable circumstances (leaving aside obvious cases of cruelty or neglect).

Likewise once the case reaches trial it seems that winning is the 'be all and end all' never mind lack of concrete evidence or just plain common sense. I sincerely hope that Keran will soon be proved innocent and she and her family will be saved from further heartbreak.

Let’s hope common sense will have an early release soon. The justice system stinks.

Until I read the Mail on Sunday article I had not heard about this case.  I had tears in my eyes and sadness in my heart that the justice system in this country could allow such a verdict.  I pray that your family will soon be reunited - stay strong.  God Bless.

I have read several of the articles about Keran in the media over the last few weeks, and also heard about the case through a friend of a friend who knows Keran.

I agree that a grave miscarriage of justice has occurred, such that an innocent woman is in prison. I know you will be successful in getting Keran released as soon as possible - keep the pressure up, it will happen.

I would just like to express my whole hearted support and my thoughts are with Keran.  I cannot imagine the horror of living with an accusation of harming a child and being sent to prison, let alone the anger and frustration of being wrongly accused and not being believed by anyone.  If it is possible please send my wishes of support to her.  I listened to Ian on radio 4 today and I trust her name will be cleared.

I have just looked at the website after seeing all the ribbons around Iver and local villages.  After trying to read the website I gave up and made my Husband stop so I could get the address.  It’s so sad to hear about what has happened.

I see so many people with ribbons on the cars and signs in their windows.  I believe that Keran is innocent.  Looking at the photos she looked like such a happy person willing to help everyone.  I will be adding the website to my favourites and keep looking to see any updates.  Love to you all.

I too read the article in the Mail on Sunday and the injustice of the case is incredible.  

How can our “great” judicial system have got it so very, very wrong? 

My warmest wishes go the entire Henderson family and I hope with all my heart that you are all soon re-united.

Its not very often I feel compelled to write things down but after reading your story in yesterdays Mail on Sunday I felt ashamed of the injustice that has been brought to all of your family and friends. I’m a husband and father of 2 young children and know how much my family mean to me and its clear Keran is thought of no differently by all of you.

I’m no medical expert, in fact I paint cars for a living, but to be found guilty on the basis of so called "experts" opinions is wrong, just plain wrong. Surely common sense dictates that there has to evidence of the crime? From what I’ve read there isn’t any.....So how can she be punished by the courts!

I cant put into words how upset this article made me, the thought of your wife and mother to your 2 kids being locked up for something she clearly hasn’t done. I only hope she gets what she deserves and is released with a full pardon and apology from each of the 10 jurors who found her guilty and an apology from these so called "experts" ( I can think of better names fro them but wont sink to their level) as soon as possible.

20/01/08

I feel so ashamed at being part of a society that allows such injustice caused by the actions of the evil (CPS, police and social services), the incompetent (the judge) and the brain dead (the 10 members of the jury). Keep on fighting. Best wishes to Keran and her family.

I just read your article in the Daily Mail.  I was very upset whilst reading about your wife.  Last year I didn’t take much interest in the case, but today my view has changed.

I really hope that Keran is released very soon and that she is back with her family. My best wishes to you and the boys. 

I was travelling to Slough on Friday from London, through Iver Heath, a route that I do not take often. I saw lots of lovely yellow ribbons attached to posts and trees and wondered what they signified.  I asked a colleague at work who knows the area fairly well and he told me about this sad story. 

I thought no more about the story until I learned more of this terrible  case of injustice in "The Sunday Mail" today.  My heart goes out to you, your family, friends and most importantly to Keran.

I know that justice will soon be done and that the justice system in our Country will once again be embarrassed by the right and proper outcome of this case.  You must remain strong Iain - it sounds like there are many people behind this campaign and their support will help you through this difficult time.

The very best of luck.  Justice will be done.

The day we read about the case in the Daily Mail (the first report of Keran being found guilty) we agreed instantly that she was innocent.  None of the prosecution's case made any sense when set against what was written about Keran and the person she is. 

Beyond that, how many times are these experts to be wheeled out to give, what seems to amount to a personal opinion, easily contradicted by the next expert, who, of course is not called because his opinion does not fit. 

I'm so pleased to see your article in today's Mail on Sunday and that you're fighting to get her freed. We feel so desperately sorry for Keran and wish her speedy justice.

I am writing as a childminder of 11 years. Every day we open our doors and hearts to families and children. We grow to love the children and more often than not listen to, sympathise with and do everything we can to help the families.

In doing so we are very vulnerable as poor Keran has discovered in the most dreadful way. If any good is to come from this awful miscarriage, then let it be that carers may get the support and back up from organisations that at the moment seem to be so far biased in favour of parents that they have forgotten that carers need some protection too.

I have read some of the reports surrounding the trial and result, felt horrified, but did nothing. I just want you to know that there are probably hundreds of thousands of people who feel the same but did nothing. They still are with you in spirit.

I have now read your very eloquent, moving and so sad report in the Mail on Sunday, and ask you please to give my deepest regard to your wife and to you and your sons.

You are such a strong and caring person for her to have in her life and have helped to keep her going and it must be such a hard and despairing time for you.

There is a lot more I could say - I know from my own experience that the harshest of times in the justice system can be a time to learn and feel more good things - as you said, you have so many people in your village who want to show their support.

I never used to pray but now I do.  I will pray for the best possible result for Keran. I will pray that she always keeps her caring and warm nature, and that your sons will always realise how proud they should be of both of you.

Please please tell her how much I admire her - it is so very unfair as she is the sort of person I always wanted to be and has given more to others than I will ever do.

My warmest wishes to you all and my deep regard to Keran

From our family to yours - keep the faith and keep fighting.
We seem to have a judicial system in this country that believes whatever an "expert" says - what has happened to common sense?

I am so sorry for what has happened to you, and also so sorry for baby Maeve’s family, who still cannot know what happened to their precious child.

You are in our thoughts and prayers, and we hope that justice will be done and you come home soon to your boys.

I was touched by the article in today's Mail on Sunday.  Your family response to this terrible miscarriage of justice really shows the strength of character it has taken for each of you and your children to endure this.

As a social work manager and an ex prison officer, I have often been frustrated by the adversarial nature of prosecution cases in our land.  The prosecution in the UK seem only interested in presenting evidence which enhances their chance of a 'win' (so that a reality presented to a jury becomes constructed) and are not focussed on exploring all the components of a situation to get to the truth.

The trouble with this is that the system becomes a slave to process once someone starts the ball rolling. Unless of course someone has the 'balls' to throw it out or refuse to accept majority verdicts where expert witnesses are in disagreement.  We really need these experts to form a collective court advisory group who can't be 'hired' by prosecution or defence.

I wish people would wake up to the reality that this sort of miscarriage could happen to any one of us in society in whatever we do. I hope Baroness Scotland doesn't give in to any political pressure to back off for the sake of keeping face and gives you the urgent review you need.

God bless you all, I hope your nightmare is soon at an end.

Just to let you know that having read the article and already believing that Keran was innocent from what I had read before I feel ashamed to be part of a human race that can still treat mothers and carers as if they were criminals with no evidence at all except that something disastrous happened while they had charge of a child.

My daughter is a Foster carer and last year her friend, also a foster carer was at my daughter's house with her 9 month old foster child when the child stopped breathing. That story had a happy ending, the child is fit and well now, and there were witnesses as to what happened but suppose she had been at her own home on her own and the child had not been able to be resuscitated, maybe she too would be sitting in prison with Keran. It is unbelievable that the police and lawyers think that people suddenly turn into monsters. There has to be some evidence of instability beforehand.

You have my love and support and I hope that Keran comes home soon and that this has not caused too much damage to her children.

Yet another case of injustice in our legal system especially towards women involved with children.  My anger towards these so-called experts is filled with frustration and disbelief - when will we ever learn.  Sally Clark died from grief and Angela Cannings has virtually lost her 'life'.  We must see sense and justice in this case.

After reading a book written by a member of poor Sally Clarke's legal team last year my eyes and ears were well and truly opened to the failings of our justice system.

I am shocked and dismayed that such miscarriages of justice are still continuing despite the publicity surrounding hers and other high profile cases.

My heart goes out to all of Keran's family but most importantly to her and I only hope that the voices of the 2 jurors who were not swayed by what appears to be un-substantiated evidence are heard loudly by all of those who can bring this case back to court and rightly bring about the speedy release of this caring mother, wife and child minder.

The death of a child is devastating and parents often look for answers when sometimes they are not there, it would seem that this sadly is one such case.

My very best wishes to Keran and if I can do anything in support please do not hesitate to contact me.

II have just read Keran's story in the The Mail on Sunday and my heart goes out to you all. This could happen to anyone and the 'expert' evidence must be questioned. Wishing you all the luck in the world with your campaign.

I’ve just read the story in The Mail & have just finished going through all the website.

Am sat here absolutely amazed that this can happen in this day & age!! 

All I want to say is I fully support your fight for justice and hope you will both continue to be strong and support each other through this nightmare.

One day, (Hopefully, sooner rather than later!) Keran will be home and you can be a family again.

Good Luck, Chin Up.

I am a registered Childminder living in Bristol, I have around 25-30 years experience in childcare- working as a Nursery Officer in a Day Nursery, a Nanny to several private families, and a Childminder for the last 9 years since my youngest daughter was born.

 I do not think that many- (including Nannies and Childminders themselves), appreciate the enormous responsibilities that go with the job, it was only really brought home to me when I was Nannying and a child in my care was taken suddenly seriously ill- I called an emergency ambulance and we were taken to the nearest hospital; that time was the most frightening that I have EVER experienced, I thought the child was going to die in my arms. I then realised how alone we are in our profession at a time of crisis, and we can only hope and pray that people will believe our accounts of what happened in these circumstances.

In this case, thank God, the child was quickly diagnosed with a sudden medical problem which was rectified after a short stay in hospital, and the lovely parents were fantastic and praised my actions- HOWEVER, it could have been SO different if the child had had a medical problem that had not been so easy to diagnose and correct, and I have worried ever since this time because it would be all too easy for outsiders to blame US for awful things that we would never think of doing, if there was no evidence of anything else to blame, as we are left in sole-charge of these precious children with (usually) no witnesses to stand up for us.

I feel very strongly that this is what has happened in Keran’s case, as reading the letters of support from friends and parents of the children she has cared for over the years, she seems to be a very kind, caring, professional person who has done her utmost for the children in her care and their families, and media reports on the court case seem to say that there is actually no evidence that Keran hurt the baby in any way. Personally I cannot believe that she is guilty of hurting baby Maeve.

I have put myself in her position as it could so easily be ANY of us sole-charge child carers, and she is being SO brave, my heart truly goes out to her and all her family. I do hope that she will be set free soon, and she needs the verdict to be overturned so that she can begin to rebuild her life.

There are SO many behind you, Keran, stay strong.    xx

I have just read you article in the Mail On Sunday and also saw you, Iain on Richard and Judy last week. This imprisonment is an absolute tragedy and I pray that Keran will be freed very soon.

I am absolutely outraged that the lack of sound evidence – from what I read today – could put an innocent person behind bars.  Where was the evidence that convicted her? 

This dear baby was ill it appears, quite obviously – before she came to be in your wife’s care.  (I was a Nursery Nurse for many years so have a great deal of empathy with your wife.  There but for the Grace of God go I.)

Try to be strong for Keran and your two sons. We pray that justice will prevail in the end, though right now that is no comfort to you and your family, I am sure.

I've just read the outline details of Keran Henderson's case, and it's hard for me to believe that her trial was even proceeded with, leave alone that this lady was found guilty of shaking Maeve Sheppard to death. 

I'm not a lawyer, but I do know that Lord Justice Judge, in his formal judgement which followed Angela Cannings' successful appeal, stated that even a 'high probability' of guilt wouldn't be good enough to secure a conviction. 

Surely, then, precedent has established that Keran's conviction and sentence isn't just wrong in fact, but that it's also wrong in law?

I read Keran's storey in the Mail on Sunday today - it beggers belief that such a travesty of justice has occurred in our so-called civilised country.

I hope the majority ten jurors (presumably the ones who did not come forward after the court case) have a huge weight on their conscience.  And why are these expert witnesses given so much credence and their word taken as gospel?

Our crazy justice system will never learn; they let murderers and tormenters roam the streets whilst innocent people are locked up in prison for no good reason other than being caring and doing their job properly.

My heart goes out to all of you, especially Keran.

I've just read the article in the Mail on Sunday and am appalled at the miscarriage of justice.   I really hope this appalling situation is put right and Keran can come home.

I’ve just been reading another editorial in the Mail on Sunday regarding Keran.

I got to know Keran when we worked together a few years ago. Not surprisingly, the impending case wasn’t known, and certainly came with shock and surprise.

Mostly because what she was accused of, compared to the dizzy fun person in the office; you could not relate the two.

I don’t know of circumstance; Kernan’s extra curricular activities, or her work in the community, nor the parents of the child that passed away, tragic as it was.

I can only comment on the person I got to know in the office, who was kind, thoughtful and full of cheer. I think now of her sitting in a cell, and it just does not seem right; I concur, this was a very unsafe conviction.

These words offer little in the way of positively correcting this failure of justice, but they are sincere, I wish you every success in quashing this conviction and having Keran pardoned.

More so, seeing Keran returned to her family and friends.

16/01/08

I just wanted to say that I am thinking of Keran, Iain and their immediate family and friends.  I hope that you all find the strength to carry on and fight until this conviction is over turned.

Awful horrendous things happen in this world, and it can be disturbing to be unfortunate enough to experience them through no doing of your own; let alone in Keran’s case face a miscarriage of justice.

My thoughts also go to the little girl who has lost her life ‘Maeve’ and her family.  

This is such hard times for all involved, but Keran needs to be at home with her husband and two boys, not behind bars for something that she did not do.

What can we do to get more doctors/experts opinions?  Also isn’t it just that an ‘opinion’ not factual??

07/01/08

This Christmas encouraged by people in our village I went carol singing. No, I can’t sing and I have not found God. It was organised by the ladies Wednesday coffee group involving local people collecting for a local charity, the Quidenham children's hospice.

I enjoyed the singing and the company and  it may become a yearly event for me. It made me realise this is the sort of thing you have been doing all year every year, not just at Christmas!

How do we show we care?
People show that we care by kissing and there could be ten or twenty different kisses to show who and how much we care.

And thinking about all the charity you and Ian have shown people in our old village there should be a hundred kisses!!!

Wishing you and your family the very best of luck!
Love, peace and justice in 2008

06/01/08

Good luck with your campaign and we hope that the courts shocking verdict will soon be overturned.

05/01/08

Having seen your appearance on GMTV the other morning I would just like to write to you to offer my support and best wishes. Until you are faced with a miscarriage of justice it is hard to believe that this can and does go on in the British Justice System.

However, miscarriages of Justice are all too common and we must stick together in order to ensure that these errors are corrected. We are currently campaigning for the release of a close friend of ours who has also been wrongly convicted for the death of a 3 year old child from over 25 years ago.

He was convicted last year on medical opinion alone and no direct or conclusive evidence. The facts of the case are so similar it is scary to think that this can happen time and time again.

I wish you all the luck in the world with your fight and hope that justice will prevail. If there is anyway in which I can help do not hesitate to point me in the right direction. 

I have only just found this story about Keran Henderson in the Daily Mirror.. I am praying for her family & also for Maeve's family.

01/01/08

I don't know Keran or her family, but I would like to pass on my wishes, and hope that you all have a positive 2008.

I am a special needs teacher, and I have taught children with epilepsy for many years. After reading about Keran's case, I am now even more aware of how vulnerable we are as adults.

Wishing you all the best