Chloe West's parents speak of their relief after sentence (From Dudley News)

Chloe West's parents speak of their relief after sentence

4:19pm Friday 23rd September 2011 in Sedgley

FOLLOWING the detention of Samuel Gayzer-Tomlinson for attempting to murder their daughter Chloe, Rosemary and Nigel West spoke of their relief that justice has been done.

In a statement, the couple said: "We have had this hanging over us since the 1 April when Chloe was attacked. We are in no doubt that Chloe would have been killed but for the brave intervention of Ben, Sonia, Mr Simmons and Mr Ramsey, who prevented her attacker continuing his horrific attack. With no thought to their own safety.

"It is hard to come to terms with the thought of someone wishing to kill our daughter. Even harder to know that this attack was premeditated.

"We wish to thank again all of the emergency services who attended to Chloe, to the air ambulance who took her so quickly to the Children's Hospital, to the doctors, nurses and surgeons who treated her at the hospital helping her to make a remarkable recovery.

"Our thanks to Clive Nutting, headmaster of Ridgewood High School, for the way the school responded and to the staff and students for their support and wishes.

"Thanks to West Midlands Police for their understanding when dealing with Chloe and those involved with the attack, and for bringing her attacker to justice. Special thanks to Maria Cook and Julia Woodall who have helped us through this ordeal.

"Also thanks to family, friends and colleagues who have given us so much support over the past months.

"Today brings an end to what has been a horrible time for us, Chloe's attacker is now behind bars and we feel justice has been done, we can now move on to enjoy life and watch Chloe grow into a young woman who is full of life."

Gayzer-Tomlinson was this afternoon detained for 13 years at a Young Offenders Institution following an appearance at Wolverhampton Crown Court.

The 18 year-old defendant, from Turls Hill Road, Sedgley, also pleaded guilty to wounding schoolboy Ben Hudson, who tried to intervene, as well as possession of an offensive weapon, driving without insurance and driving without a licence.

Eyewitness Ben, aged 16, who came to Chloe’s aid during the attack, said: "I am pleased that Samuel Tomlinson chose to plead guilty today and spared many the ordeal of having to give evidence in court.

"I am delighted that Chloe appears to be making a good recovery but I am sure that the impact of that day back in April will remain with us all for a very long time."

Acting Detective Chief Inspector Wayne Jones, from Force CID, added: "This was a horrific attack on a young girl as she walked to school in broad daylight. She sustained terrible injuries at the hands of a young man who she had known well and in many ways it is a miracle that we are not stood here now talking about a far more serious offence.

"Chloe has done fantastically well to recover and return to school as quickly as she did. I hope that knowing he is now facing a lengthy custodial sentence will offer some comfort to Chloe and her family as they continue to come to terms with this terrible ordeal."