Sheree Black: Mum says baby’s killer should never be released

Newtownabbey: Sheree Black is speaking out about the tragic loss of her baby, Cameron, who was just 14 weeks old when his father, Ryan Leslie, took his life in 2008. Sheree believes that Leslie should never be released from prison.

Cameron died from severe brain swelling after Leslie struck him. In 2011, Leslie was sentenced to a minimum of 17 years. Now, as he approaches a parole review, Sheree has been asked to share her feelings about the impact of his crime.

She feels strongly that Leslie hasn’t shown any remorse for what he did. Sheree recalls how young she was when it happened and how hard it was to process everything. She’s been in touch with the Parole Commissioners and is preparing her victim impact statement, which brings back a flood of emotions.

Sheree believes it’s crucial for victims to have a voice in these situations. She thinks it’s part of healing, even if it’s bittersweet. If Leslie could just admit his wrongdoing, it might help her family find some closure.

While she understands the need for rehabilitation, she feels that Leslie hasn’t changed. “He killed my son. Life should mean life,” she says, expressing her frustration with the system.

After the sentencing, Sheree moved to Spain to escape the stigma of being known as the mother of a murdered child. Now, she’s ready to reclaim her identity and advocate for other women who’ve faced similar tragedies.

Sheree wants to create a supportive community for mothers like her, where they can remember their children positively. It’s a tough journey, but she’s determined to turn her pain into something meaningful in Cameron’s memory.