Ronan’s Law: A Grieving Mother’s Triumph as New Legislation Promises a Crackdown on Knife Sales

Mother of slain youth Ronan Kanda experiences validation as authorities pledge new legislation targeting knife crime

Ronan was fatally stabbed by Prabjeet Veadhesa and Sukhman Shergill following an assault close to his residence.

Wednesday, July 17, 2024, at 10

The mother of a young boy who was fatally stabbed expressed to Sky News that she finally feels acknowledged following the new Labour government's promise to enact a law named after her son.

In 2022, 16-year-old Ronan Kanda lost his life at the hands of Prabjeet Veadhesa and Sukhman Shergill.

Veadhesa, who had purchased a large machete and various other knives on the internet, mistakenly assaulted Ronan while he was returning home from a friend’s place.

The adolescents planned to target Ronan's companion, who was previously involved in a financial dispute and altercation with one of them.

Together, the pair of assailants received a total of 34 years of imprisonment in 2023.

Labour has promised to enact legislation named after Ronan that will toughen regulations on the sale and ownership of hazardous knives.

The authorities have committed to addressing the critical issue of severe violence across British towns and cities, setting a goal to reduce incidents of knife crime by 50% over the next ten years.

In an interview with Sky News, Pooja Kanda, Ronan's mother, expressed that she felt acknowledged for the first time following the King's Speech.

She expressed relief, noting, "After years of striving to be heard, it feels like someone finally understands the circumstances surrounding my child's passing."

"This wasn't simply a case of a criminal committing a murder; it involved a sequence of purchases made over the internet."

Ms. Kanda noted, "During the court session last year, it was revealed that the offender had purchased a significant number of knives online… over 25 from a single source."

"I was taken abark by the availability of these items. It's no surprise that these criminal activities are occurring. It's no surprise that our streets feel dangerous.

"I wish this had been done earlier; then my son might still be with us."

Labour has announced that Ronan's Law will expand the prohibition on owning various hazardous weapons and will also initiate an examination of internet knife sales, reinforcing the enforcement of identity verification.

In the incident involving Ronan, Veadhesa managed to buy a knife on the internet using his mother's credentials and subsequently collected the blade with no requirement to show identification.

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Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer stated, "The grief experienced by Ronan Kanda's family is profoundly unimaginable. Their drive to prevent other families from facing similar pain is truly extraordinary."

For families grappling with the profound sorrow of losing a child to knife violence, the political affiliation of the leader addressing the issue—be it Labour or Conservative—holds little significance.

"What is needed is a commitment from political figures to treat this matter with the seriousness it deserves and make concerted efforts to decrease incidents of knife crime."

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The prime minister stated, "It's very important to me. We must collaborate to decrease incidents of knife crime."

"That's why the Labour Party plans to enact Ronan's Law and will take decisive measures to prohibit the online sale of machetes, zombie knives, and ninja swords, thereby preventing the sale of knives to minors."

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