Remembering Rosie Darbyshire on the first anniversary of her death

Today marks one year since the brutal killing of Preston mum Rosie Darbyshire.

The 27-year-old was bludgeoned to death by her boyfriend of only weeks, Benjamin Topping, in the early hours of February 7, 2019.

In the 12 months that have passed, her family have pulled together to look after Rosie’s young son Oliver, have campaigned for greater protection for those at risk of domestic violence, and have been supported by a community, united in grief at the loss of a “fun colourful girl”.

While there are plans for a community gathering to remember Rosie - described by those who knew her as “Preston’s sunshine” - her family say it will be a quiet time.

Alice Hodgson, Rosie’s sister said: “It’s going to be a family day, just all keeping each other strong on the anniversary of our special Rosie’s death.

“It’s not got any easier, we still all struggle daily to come to terms with the fact she is no longer here.

“One year, it’s been a whirlwind. She is missed incredibly, always talked about and never forgotten. Our hearts shattered and our lives changed forever on February 7, 2019, it’s a day we will never forget.”

In the year since Rosie’s death, her family have worked with the Lancashire Post, calling on the Government to change Clare’s Law.

Officially known as the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme, it allows people to ask police whether their partner has a violent past - but forces have up to 35 days to respond.

Rosie had made an application under the scheme to find out the criminal past of Topping, but died before the results could be disclosed.

Had they been, they would have shown that at the time of her murder, Topping was on bail for punching a man in the face in Popworld, Preston.

During sentencing in May last year, it was revealed that Topping has a history of alcohol and substance misuse, with the Honorary Recorder of Preston, Judge Mark Brown, telling him: “You are undoubtedly a violent man with a criminal record for violent offences.”

More than 11,000 people signed the petition calling for the disclosure of information under Clare’s Law to be sped up, and for a national database akin to those found guilty of sex offenders to be set up for those with a history of violence.

Former Hyndburn MP Graham Jones was made aware of the campaign, and took it to the Home Secretary, Priti Patel.

He said: “Whilst Clare’s Law is vital, it needs updating to ensure it protects people at risk. Unfortunately, as Rosie’s case sadly shows, the current time-frame is far too long.”

In October, the Home Office admitted “we need to improve the operation of the scheme”.

A Home Office spokesman said: “We are currently working with the police to review the guidance used by forces, including the time frame for disclosure.”

The spokesman added that the Home Office was working with the police to enable online applications to the scheme, to improve accessibility.

They also said that under the Domestic Abuse Bill, which was introduced into Parliament on July 16, the scheme would be put on a statutory footing, driving “greater use and consistent application of the scheme by placing an express duty on the police to have regard to the guidance”.

At the time of the announcement, Alice said: “We as a family can not thank everyone enough for all the signatures and sharing. Without this, we wouldn’t have got this result.

“It has come from such heartbreaking circumstances but us as a family are amazed that we have made a difference. If this helps one family to not go through what we have then we can be happy knowing we have done this in honour of our Rosie.”

Also honouring Rosie’s memory is a memorial garden, built by friends on the junction of Village Drive and Pope Lane, Ribbleton, where many floral tributes were left in the wake of her death.

Tonight, anyone wishing to celebrate Rosie’s life is invited to take candles, glow sticks and lanterns to the memorial garden at 6pm.