THE parents of tragic East Lancashire nurse Jane Clough hope to meet Home Secretary Theresa May as they step up their campaign for tougher action against stalkers after Saturday’s “poignant and painful” fifth anniversary of her murder.

John and Penny Clough hope to see a register of the obsessive harassers of innocent people in place by the time it is six years since her killing.

MORE TOP STORIES:

The couple have mounted the ‘Justice for Jane’ campaign for tougher measures to tackle stalkers since their 26-year-old daughter Jane was stabbed to death by ex-partner Johnathan Vass in the grounds of Blackpool Victoria Hospital.

It has already led to an amendment to bail legislation and the introduction of a criminal offence with a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

They want to see more prosecutions for stalking, tougher sentences against those convicted and a national database of stalkers linked to the sex offenders register.

Mr Clough, 55, said his family were still determined to see action.

He said: “Saturday was a poignant and painful day.

“The pain never goes away but it is worse on days like the anniversary, birthdays and other family days.

“Five years on Monday, I was in the morgue identifying her body on my 50th birthday.

“We are hoping to see Theresa May soon about a stalkers register.

“We now have 125,000 signatures with fellow campaigners Paladin and it could easily be linked to the existing sex offenders register.

“If there was a national register, it would enable police and professionals to check on stalkers and take action.

“It would also be available to prosecutors and judges to ensure action was taken and proper sentences were imposed.

“Too often stalkers are not prosecuted and then just move somewhere else, or if they are convicted, sentences are far too lenient.

“I am hopeful that we can get something done.

“It would be an appropriate legacy. Everything we do is in memory of Jane.”