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The Department for Work and Pensions may stop benefits going to offenders in psychiatric hospitals. It comes as the mother of a woman killed by her boyfriend called for “true systematic changes” after meeting the Labour Party government. Kennedi Westcarr-Sabaroche’s mother and uncle met DWP boss Pat McFadden, who recently replaced Liz Kendall, in parliament on Monday. Linda Westcarr called for the Government to “commit to real change”. She called for the DWP to prevent killers being handed payouts. Kennedi was killed by 28-year-old Gogoa Lois Tape, who strangled her in Hackney, east London, in April last year. READ MORE 1.6 million drivers handed £160 fine 'after wanting to follow rules' In September he was detained under the Mental Health Act indefinitely by hospital order that said he was an “undiagnosed schizophrenic” at the time of the attack. Mr McFadden said: “I was very touched to meet Linda and Leon Westcarr, who have shown great bravery and dignity following the terrible loss of Kennedi. “I have asked officials to come back very quickly on possible changes to the benefits system to stop entitlements for offenders who are detained in psychiatric hospitals.” Ms Westcarr said the meetings were “a step towards being heard”. She said: “But my daughter’s killing deserves more than sympathetic words – it demands action. “True systematic changes, including preventing killers sent to hospitals from receiving benefits, and the implementation of Jade’s Law, are needed to ensure victims are prioritised in the justice system.” “I am publicly calling on Sir Keir Starmer, along with the Lord Chancellor, to meet with me so I can share with them the many failures that have been seen in Kennedi’s case," she said. “I hope that the Prime Minister and Lord Chancellor will be able to meet with me and that they can look me in the eye, and to commit to real change so no other family has to endure what mine has.”
