As a journalist of nearly 25 years, JJ Anisiobi has reported on murders, abuse cases and acts of unimaginable cruelty, but the details that emerged during the trial of Jamie Varley made even him shudder. Baby Preston Davey endured months of physical, sexual and emotional abuse at the hands of the man who was supposed to love and protect him. Instead, the 13-month-old boy's short life became a catalogue of suffering. Varley will now spend the rest of his life behind bars, rightly never to walk free again – and Anisiobi notes that some of his fellow inmates will give him a hostile welcome.
The Death Penalty Debate
Cases like this inevitably reignite one of society's most difficult debates – should the death penalty return? As a Catholic, Anisiobi understands the importance of forgiveness, mercy and redemption. But he admits that those values are not easy to reconcile with crimes of this magnitude. There are moments when his faith and his fury collide, and on this occasion his fury wins. He questions why taxpayers should fund decades of imprisonment for someone who showed nothing but cruelty and evil to a defenceless child.
Anisiobi acknowledges that capital punishment raises moral, legal and practical concerns, but if ever there was a case that forces us to confront uncomfortable questions about justice, punishment and whether some acts are truly beyond redemption, this is it. Varley, in his opinion, deserves the death penalty. In lieu of that, he hopes Varley rots in prison.
Global Motor Neurone Disease Awareness Day
Yesterday marked Global Motor Neurone Disease Awareness Day, and it served as a timely reminder that life's most meaningful moments aren't always the big, headline-grabbing milestones. Of course, birthdays, anniversaries, weddings and Father's Day deserve to be celebrated. This year, Father's Day coincided with Global MND Awareness Day, making it even more poignant for families living with this devastating condition. For those affected by MND, some of the most significant moments can look very different – a child's first day at school, the day a stairlift is installed, or the first time a tech-assisted voice speaks one's own words back. These are the milestones that can easily pass without recognition, yet they matter enormously. The campaign encouraged people to celebrate the special days that often go unnoticed and to share the moments that mean the most to them.
Thank You, Labour
With millions of children set to lose access to social media under the Government's proposed ban on under-16s using platforms such as TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram, the backlash was inevitable. But on this occasion, Anisiobi says “thank you, Labour”. At the very least, it might encourage young people to put their phones down and do something other than endlessly doomscroll. For those arguing this is simply a way for the Government to identify who's online, Anisiobi is not convinced that's a bad thing. Too many people hide behind anonymous accounts while using them to bully, intimidate and spread harmful content. If you're behaving responsibly online, verifying your identity should not be an issue. He recalls when smoking was banned in pubs and restaurants, and critics predicted chaos – instead, it became one of the most popular public health measures ever introduced.
