Family of murder victim requests ‘Angie’s Law’ to help vulnerable feel safe in their homes

The family of a woman who was tortured to death by teenagers are calling for new legislation to provide more support for vulnerable adults.

Angela Wrightson, 39, was killed in 2014 after suffering more than 100 injuries in a seven-hour attack carried out by two teenage girls.

Ms Wrightson was an alcoholic known to social services, and often invited young people – including the two girls – back to her house to drink and smoke.

However, her behaviour made her an easy target, and she was frequently taken advantage of, with young people letting themselves into her house, getting her to buy them drink and cigarettes, and refusing to leave.

Her family are now campaigning for the introduction of ‘Angie’s Law’ to help police and other agencies intervene when vulnerable people are being taken advantage of.

Rachel Tressider, Ms Wrightson’s niece, told ITV Tyne Tees: “Angela’s nieces and nephews, including myself, can’t understand how this could have happened to our aunt.

“The entire family have one question that has never been answered – why? Angela was failed by the system, which is why we need to create Angie’s Law.”

The proposed law would empower adult services, the police and the courts to obtain and enforce legal action against individuals who intrude on, or take over, a vulnerable person’s home or possessions.

It would function similarly to non-molestation orders currently issued in domestic abuse cases.

Ms Wrightson’s attackers, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were sentenced to a minimum of 15 years.

The mother of one of the girls issued a public apology last week and said she wished social services had done more to help her daughter.

However, Ms Tressider refused the apology, adding: “I think she’s trying to wriggle out of taking some responsibility for it, which she needs because it is her child.”