The elder brother of murdered mother-of-four Jill Bluestone has opened his heart about how he still thinks of his "baby sister" every day.

Peter Skerry, 37, made a special trip from Middlesborough to be at the launch of Basildon council's Employee Domestic Violence initiative.

It came about after more than three years of planning since Mrs Bluestone - a Basildon council policy and resources manager - was battered to death along with two of her children by her police officer husband, Karl, who hung himself afterwards.

Mr Skerry was accompanied by his wife, Caroline, at the two-hour launch in Basildon's Towngate Theatre, where Caroline was one of the speakers.

It was attended by more than representatives from organisations including the council, police, women's aid and the health sector. Speaking for the first time, Mr Skerry said: "She was my baby sister, I loved her so much.

"I had massive respect for how she coped with her day-to-day life looking after four children while holding down a good and very challenging job.

"He (Karl) does not exist in my mind anymore. There is no excuse for what he did, none whatsoever."

In an effort to cope, Mr Skerry said he had thrown himself into "practical" things such as his work and raising money for battered women.

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