Daisy, now 45, has finally seen her birth father convicted of raping her mother, who was just 13 at the time of the offence in the 1970s. The case, which took nearly a decade to bring to court, was only resolved after Daisy persuaded her mother to testify against Carvel Bennett, then 28.
Daisy was taken into care shortly after birth and adopted at seven months. She discovered the circumstances of her conception at age 18 when reading her social services files. The files noted that police had investigated the matter in 1975 but no charges were brought.
Inspired by the Jimmy Savile scandal, Daisy began efforts to have Bennett prosecuted. However, police initially told her she could not be considered a victim in legal terms, and her complaint was labelled 'vexatious' in 2015. She described being told this as 'shocking'.
Daisy's birth mother eventually agreed to give evidence, leading to Bennett's conviction for rape on 2 August. Daisy said: 'I am so proud of my birth mother for her courage.' She is now calling for changes in the law to recognise children conceived through rape as victims, and for accountability from police and social services.
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said supporting victims of sexual violence remains a priority, and West Midlands police stated that the law did not recognise Daisy as a victim, but the case proceeded when her mother chose to testify.
