My son’s killer and me: grief, pain and the power of forgiveness after a one-punch death

When Jacob Dunne hit James Hodgkinson, he had no idea the punch would kill him. He recounts how his victim’s mother, Joan, helped him, while she reveals why she confronted himI was released from prison on New Year’s Eve 2012. I came out with more complex needs than I had before going in: lower self-esteem, fewer aspirations, less optimistic about the future. I was angry at myself and others. I had none of the skills required to communicate, be vulnerable or support myself. I was destined to join the 46% of people in England and Wales who reoffend within their first year post-prison. I was 20 years old with no fixed address, no qualifications or work experience and manslaughter on my criminal record. Continue reading...

Mar 2, 2025 - 10:00
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My son’s killer and me: grief, pain and the power of forgiveness after a one-punch death

When Jacob Dunne hit James Hodgkinson, he had no idea the punch would kill him. He recounts how his victim’s mother, Joan, helped him, while she reveals why she confronted him

I was released from prison on New Year’s Eve 2012. I came out with more complex needs than I had before going in: lower self-esteem, fewer aspirations, less optimistic about the future. I was angry at myself and others. I had none of the skills required to communicate, be vulnerable or support myself. I was destined to join the 46% of people in England and Wales who reoffend within their first year post-prison. I was 20 years old with no fixed address, no qualifications or work experience and manslaughter on my criminal record. Continue reading...