Court / Women’s Aid offers support to all affected by Leveque case
SHETLAND Women’s Aid has said its thoughts are with everyone affected by the death of Claire Leveque, after today’s guilty verdict for her former partner Aren Pearson.
The charity, which offers free, confidential support to women, children and young people affected by domestic abuse, said the case had deeply affected the Shetland community.
It said the guilty verdict and coverage of Pearson’s crimes had “brought renewed pain and sadness for many people in Shetland”.
“At Shetland Women’s Aid, we believe that everyone has the right to live free from violence, coercion and control,” the charity said.
“When such violence against women takes a life, it devastates families, friends, and entire communities. It also reminds us why prevention, early education, and specialist support remain so vital.
“We know that this news may feel overwhelming or triggering for those who have experienced domestic abuse or other forms of gender-based violence, and for those still living in fear.
“Please remember that you are not alone, and that help is available.”
The charity said it would “stand with everyone who is grieving, everyone who is hurting, and everyone working tirelessly to end violence against women in our community.”
“Together, we can honour those we have lost by building a Shetland where every woman, child and young person is safe, respected, empowered, and free.”
Leveque’s cousin, Hope Ingram, paid tribute to her following Pearson’s guilty verdict in Edinburgh High Court today.
She thanked everyone who had sat through the intense evidence so that they were “able to get justice for Claire”.
Ingram said she hoped this would start a new path that “helps other victims suffering from domestic violence”.
“It’s so nice that we can now move forward and just remember Claire instead of thinking of this awful incident,” she said.
“She was such a phenomenal person, and there truly is a shadow over our family now she is gone.
“I have so many words that I want to say about her, and I feel like I can’t put them all together. It’s just so incredible.
“Claire wanted to just make every moment count, and wanted to live.”
Procurator fiscal Moira Orr, who leads on homicide investigations for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), said prosecutors had “exposed Pearson’s lies” during the trial.
“They were able to show how he isolated Claire from her loved ones, abused her and murdered her,” she said.
“I hope there is some small comfort for her family in Pearson being publicly held accountable for his contemptible actions.”
And Shetland area commander Chris Sewell called this a “harrowing incident”, which “had a wide impact across the local community in our islands”.
“I know that many people’s thoughts across Shetland will be with Claire Leveque’s family and friends today.
“Fortunately, crimes of this nature are extremely rare in Shetland.
“We will continue to work closely with our partners to support the community and to tackle violence against women and girls, ensuring that Shetland remains a safe place for everyone.”
Pearson was jailed for life today, and will have to serve a minimum of 25 years before being eligible for parole.
If you have been affected by domestic abuse in Shetland, you can contact Shetland Women’s Aid for free, confidential support and information. Phone 01595 692070, email office@shetlandwa.org, or visit www.shetlandwa.org. In an emergency, please call 999.
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