THE family of a murdered woman have spoken of their shock at only just finding out the Gassmann sisters are fighting their jail sentences, despite the appeal being launched over a year ago.

But they have vowed to fight it every step of the way to make sure the sisters do their time.

News of the appeal has hit the family of Alison Connolly hard. A mother to eight children and a grandmother to more, her death at the hands of Charice Gassmann in May 2015 has left a huge hole in their lives.

Alison’s daughter, Tara Mills, says the prospect of Charice and Amberstasia Gassman having their sentences reduced, or worse still Charice Gassmann having her murder conviction quashed, has brought the horror of her mother’s killing back again.

“Our family have only just found out about the appeal, said Tara, aged 30. “We didn’t know anything until we got the letters two weeks ago.

“We’ve been trying to cope with the loss and then this came out of the blue. I got a call from my sister and she was screaming down the phone.

“It brings you back to the day when we found out it was mum, of being there for everyone and trying to cope.

“You feel you’re going straight back and that’s just not fair on us.”

Tara has launched a petition urging the judges to reject the Gassmanns’ appeals. It has attracted the support of more than 570 people.

“I’m quite astounded with the amount of support we’re getting so quickly,” said Tara.

“I want to take this petition to the court and say look, these people are all supporting us, we have rights too, she was our mother.

“All I can think of is that courtroom during the trial and seeing them laughing with each other. They stabbed her to death and they didn’t care.

“Walking into that court and facing the two people that murdered your mum head on was so hard, but we did it with dignity and I’m proud of my family for that.”

Tara says she is determined to find a way to have her say.

“I’m not going to stand here and see them get their time decreased. I’ll fight to the end to see justice done,” she said.

Charice Gassmann was jailed for life and told she must serve a minimum of 19 years for stabbing 49-year-old Alison Connolly to death in Park South.

Her sister, Amberstasia Gassmann was found not guilty of murder but convicted of manslaughter for her role in the attack.

She was sentenced to 12 years in prison, meaning she will serve six years behind bars and six on licence in the community.

Both women, who are in their early twenties, have asked senior judges at the Court of Appeal in London to take another look at their case.

Charice Gassmann is appealing against both her conviction and the length of her sentence, while Amberstasia is just appealing against her sentence.

Their appeal, launched in February 2016, is scheduled for a hearing in the next eight weeks.

It will first go before a single judge who will consider if the appeals have merit.

If the appeal passes that stage, the case will then go before the full court.