Tributes pour in for Hayley while sister seeks justice
May 22 2008 by Paul Loraine, The Journal
THE sister of a 16-year-old girl killed when she was knocked over by a police car has vowed to see that justice is done in her name.
Sarah Ridley, the elder sister of Hayley Adamson, paid tribute to the Sacred Heart School pupil on an internet memorial site.
Hayley, who was struck by a squad car on Denton Road in Scotswood, Newcastle, on Monday night, had been a bridesmaid at Mrs Ridley’s wedding less than a fortnight ago.
Yesterday, more flowers, soft toys and pictures were left in tribute to Hayley near the scene of the crash and many more neighbours and friends, including her sister, wrote at greater length on the internet.
Mrs Ridley’s message read: “Hayley darling I am sorry. I just wish I had been there. I am missing you so much.
“You were not only my little sister, you were my best friend. You meant the world to me, John and the kids, and none of us can believe you are gone.
“You looked so beautiful on my wedding day and I will never forget what you used to say about having to wear a dress but you looked gorgeous.
“I will miss you for the rest of my life and, Hayley darling, once again I am sorry that I was not there. I will make sure we get justice for you.”
Hayley lived with her mother Yvonne on Cedar Road in Fenham, Newcastle, but spent a lot of her time with her sister, who is in her early 20s, and friends in Scotswood.
Her close friend Laura Steele, 15, of Yewcroft Avenue in Scotswood, said Hayley loved children and hoped to do an apprenticeship in childcare when she left school.
She said that she and her friends would always think of Hayley when they heard her favourite song, Show Me Heaven.
She said: “That was mine and her song. She used to say that if she ever died she’d want that song played at her funeral.
“Everyone is devastated, nobody believed it at first. Out of everyone, I would not have thought it would be her it would happen to.”
Meanwhile, Northumbria Police insisted that the Scotswood area, where Hayley was killed, was “back to normal” yesterday.
There had been a volatile reaction from some sections of the community on Monday night and arrests were made some bricks were thrown at police.
Supt Dave Wormald, of the neighbourhood policing team in Newcastle, said there had been no trouble in the area on Tuesday night, following a police appeal for calm in the area.
He added: “We continue to extend our sympathy to Hayley’s family and friends. We deeply regret the loss of a young life and share in the sadness being felt by the whole community.”
Supt Wormald said the force was giving “every possible assistance” to the Independent Police Complaints Commission, which has the job of investigating the incident.
