The daughter of a Post Office victim has shared with Sky News her struggles with «dark thoughts of suicide» in the years following her mother’s accusation of theft.
Kate Burrows was only 14 years old when her mother, Elaine Hood, was prosecuted and later convicted in 2003.
The first public inquiry report on the Post Office, which focuses on redress and the «human impact» of the scandal, is set to be released today.
«I’ve been dealing with panic attacks since I was around 14 or 15 years old, and they continue to affect me to this day,» Kate revealed.
«I’ve undergone therapy on and off for what seems like most of my adult life, and it all stems back to [what happened].»
Kate, alongside others, played a role in establishing the charity Lost Chances, which supports the children of Post Office victims. She is hopeful that the inquiry will acknowledge their suffering.
«It is crucial that our voices are heard,» she emphasized. «Not just within the report, but also in terms of legal action.»
«And perhaps that could serve as a deterrent for any future cover-ups, making it clear that it’s not just one individual but the entire family that is impacted,» she added.
Her sister, Rebecca Richards, who was 18 when their mother was accused, shared how her eating disorder «intensified» following the events.
«During my mom’s ordeal, the only aspect of that situation I could control was what I ate,» she confessed.
Elaine with her husband
She also recounted the lasting impact of witnessing her mother in court during her conviction.
«The two investigators were sitting in front of my dad and me, smirking and saying ‘we’ve got this one’,» she remembered.
«Watching my mom in the dock, handcuffed to a guard… unsure if she would return home… that memory is etched in my mind.»
Elaine Hood’s conviction was overturned in September 2023.
The daughters are optimistic that the findings of the inquiry will urge Fujitsu to fulfill a commitment they made nearly a year ago to assist the children of victims.
The siblings were teenagers when their mum was unfairly prosecuted
Last year, Kate met with the European head of the company, Paul Patterson, who expressed interest in finding ways to support Lost Chances.
Despite his promises during the inquiry in November last year to not «stay silent» on the issue, Kate mentioned that there has been little progress in terms of support.
«It’s essentially been a waiting game until the inquiry report is finalized,» she noted.
«However, Mr. Patterson met with us personally, looked us in the eye, and we shared our most intimate stories, and he assured us of taking action… The message is clear: they must create an impact. Fujitsu, responsible for the faulty Horizon software, is discussing compensation with the government. The inquiry will closely examine redress schemes, with victims of the scandal calling for the government and the Post Office to be removed from these schemes. A Department for Business and Trade spokesperson acknowledges the suffering of victims and the government’s increased compensation efforts. If you are in distress, contact Samaritans for help. The daughter of a Post Office victim shares her struggles and hopes for recognition through the Lost Chances charity. Not only mentioned in the report, but also in law.
«And then maybe that would be a deterrent for any future cover-ups, that it’s not just the one person it’s the whole family [affected].»
Her sister, Rebecca Richards, who was 18 when their mother was accused, described how an eating disorder «escalated» after what happened.
«When my mum was going through everything, my only control of that situation was what food I put in my body,» she said.
Elaine with her husband
She also said that seeing her mother at court when she was convicted, would «stay with me forever».
«The two investigators were sat in front of my dad and I, sniggering and saying ‘we’ve got this one’.
«To watch my mum in the docks handcuffed to a guard… not knowing if she was going to be coming home… that is the most standout memory for me.»
Elaine Hood’s conviction was quashed in September 2023.
Her daughters are hoping the inquiry findings will push Fujitsu into fulfilling a promise they made nearly a year ago – to try and help the children of victims.
The siblings were teenagers when their mum was unfairly prosecuted
Last summer, Kate met with the European boss of the company, Paul Patterson, who said he would look at ways they could support Lost Chances.
Despite appearing at the inquiry in November last year and saying he would not «stay silent» on the issue, Kate said there has been little movement in terms of support.
«It’s very much a line of ‘we’re going to wait until the end of the inquiry report to decide’,» she said.
«But Mr Patterson met us in person, looked us in the eye, and we shared the most deeply personal stories and he said we will do something… The importance of making a difference is emphasized by many, urging action to bring about change. Fujitsu, the developer of the faulty Horizon software, is currently in discussions with the government regarding compensation for those affected by the scandal. The upcoming inquiry will thoroughly investigate redress schemes, with four currently in existence – three overseen by the government and one by the Post Office.
Victims of the scandal are eagerly awaiting the recommendations of Sir Wyn Williams, the chair of the inquiry, in hopes that the government and the Post Office will be removed from the redress schemes. This move is sought after as thousands of individuals are still awaiting fair compensation for the injustices they have faced. The Department for Business and Trade has expressed gratitude for the inquiry’s efforts, acknowledging the immense suffering endured by victims. They have also highlighted the government’s increased support, with over £1 billion already distributed to thousands of claimants.
The daughter of a Post Office victim, Kate Burrows, shared her personal struggles with Sky News, revealing how the accusations against her mother led to dark thoughts of suicide and ongoing mental health challenges. Kate was only 14 years old when her mother was prosecuted in 2003, leaving a lasting impact on her well-being. Despite the hardships she has faced, Kate has been actively involved in setting up Lost Chances, a charity dedicated to supporting the children of Post Office victims. She hopes that the upcoming inquiry will acknowledge and address the suffering experienced by those affected.
As the first public inquiry report on the Post Office prepares to be released, the focus remains on examining the human impact of the scandal and providing redress for those affected. Kate’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the long-lasting repercussions of such injustices. It is crucial that the voices of victims and their families are heard and that steps are taken to ensure fair compensation and support moving forward.
If you or someone you know is feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal, resources such as Samaritans in the UK (call 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org) and the Samaritans branch in the US (call 1 (800) 273-TALK) are available for assistance. Let us all strive to make a positive difference in the lives of those impacted by such tragedies.
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