The sister of Andrew Ballantyne, who died after he was attacked by a group of men in High Wycombe, has demanded that his killers get the death penalty.

Jennifer Ballantyne took to the witness stand at Reading Crown Court on Friday as she gave a victim impact statement, outlining how her brother’s death had affected her and the rest of her family.

Andrew Ballantyne died aged 55 on July 31, 2021, following a violent attack by a group of men outside the Jet petrol station in Micklefield Road.

Asher Anderson, 35, of Walton Gardens, Wembley, and James Scott, 32, of Hawthorne Road, High Wycombe, pleaded guilty to manslaughter following Mr Ballantyne’s death.

Daniel Ramsey, 25, of Micklefield Road, High Wycombe, Ramah Lampkin, 24, of Rowan Avenue, High Wycombe and Nickolas Williams, 25, of Gibbs Close, High Wycombe were also involved in the attack, and pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

All five men are due to be sentenced today (Monday) after Friday’s hearing was postponed.

Speaking to the court on Friday, Ms Ballantyne described what she has been going through over the past few months.

She said: “My brother’s death has left me with mixed emotions. Anger, rage, frustration, helplessness.

“Burying my brother is the single hardest ting I have had to do. Since Andrew’s death I had to stand strong for my parents and my youngest brother.

“Andrew’s death adds to our struggles, with my mother’s health and my brother’s recent health condition.

“I have had to be the emotionally strongest, taking on more and more responsibility.

“When do I get my chance to grieve? When do I get me chance to cry? I’m not sure I will ever get the chance.”

During the sentencing hearing, the court heard how all of five of the defendants were related to Mr Ballantyne in some way, either through distant family relations or old family friends. Andrew Ballantyne was the uncle of Daniel Ramsey.

Ms Ballantyne added: “What is the worst thing of all of this is knowing that the men that had done this to my little brother are really just boys that I have known since they were knee high. Boys that I have seen grown.

“Who should I blame for this? Those that murdered my brother? Because that’s what it is, and I won’t accept anyone telling me he was not murdered.

“Do I blame those that knew about the issues between Andrew and those involved and didn’t tell anyone?

“Do I blame those that came to my family with information and then refused to speak to the police? Those with the video of the attack, those that I believe saw what happened and those that heard Andrew’s last words?

“I blame them all.”

Ms Ballantyne proceeded to tell the court what she thought should happen to the men who killed her brother.

She said: “My mother often says ‘life for a life’, I agree.

“It’s these types of cowards that can outnumber an old man and attack him until his last breath.

“It should be the death penalty, but I know that’s not possible.

“God forgive, manslaughter. Less than double figures and then out in half. Is that what my brother’s life is worth?

“I hope that they look in the mirror and find it in themselves to forgive themselves one day, because I never will.”

Capital punishment has been officially abolished in the UK since 1998, but has not been used as a viable sentence since 1965.

In the UK, the maximum sentence for manslaughter is life imprisonment. However, this is reserved for only the most serious cases.

In this instance, where the defendants have already pleaded guilty, they are not likely to receive such a harsh sentence.

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