AN inquest jury at Warrington has returned a verdict of “unlawful killing” on tragic Nicola Sutton – after a hearing spanning five days.
The jury had heard evidence from numerous people who had tried to protect Nicola from Barry Stone – the violent man who ultimately took her life.
He was already known as a violent man who had assaulted a former wife.
In October 2005 – after suffering fractured ribs and other injuries inflicted by Stone – the 22-year-old care assistant (pictured) eventually found the courage to work with police to press charges against Stone.
But when he was released he murdered Nicola in a frenzied attack and, although he then went on the run, was arrested.
While being held in Leeds Prison charged with murder he took his own life by hanging.
The inquest heard that from the start, Nicola was subjected to violence by Stone.
She changed from a lively outgoing girl with lots of friends to someone who lost weight, became isolated, and fearful.
Police assisted Nicola and her family by offering advice and support, including CCTV cameras at the family home after windows were broken, the offer of a safe house to Nicola and her mother – which was declined) – the installation of a panic button, and a critical incident marker at the address which flagged up to local officers that any incidents at that address should be responded to immediately.
Police even took the unusual step of intercepting his correspondence from prison to further protect her.
After the inquest, Supt John Armstrong of Cheshire Police, said, “This is the most tragic of cases. Nicola lost her life at the hands of a violent and abusive man, who subsequently took his own life, escaping justice for the murder he committed. Our thoughts and feelings are with Nicola’s family.
“Inevitably questions may be asked whether the police and other agencies could have done more to protect Nicola from Stone. This is something which the Constabulary has considered at length.
“Certainly, Nicola was given advice and support by officers who supported her through the process of pressing charges of assault against Stone and securing his conviction, and who provided advice and practical measures to assist with the intimidation and threats she and her family received.
“However, there is no room for complacency and the Cheshire Constabulary has objectively reviewed all of its actions from the point of Nicola taking up a relationship with Stone in 2004 through to her death in 2006. In addition to this, the Constabulary has also conducted joint reviews with the other agencies involved in this case.
“In the three years since Nicola’s death, much has changed in the multi agency management of domestic violence. Most significant is the sharing of information among agencies to better protect the victim and better manage the risk posed by the offender.
“MAPPA (Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements), in their infancy three years ago, are now a valuable tool in the multi-agency management of dangerous offenders. MARACs (Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conferences) have also been introduced both in Cheshire and across the country, which look at the needs of the most vulnerable domestic violence victims and work to ensure their safety. In addition to this, the Cheshire Constabulary last year introduced a Homicide Reduction Strategy, a key feature of which involves early intervention and support to victims in abusive relationships to avoid the tragic outcome we saw in the case of Nicola Sutton. The good news is that in the last three years, as a result of these and other measures, Cheshire has seen a decline in domestic homicides of over 50 per cent.
The one clear message that I would like to leave to anyone who finds themselves in a violent or abusive domestic relationship is that help is available, not just from the police, but from other agencies who can work with the victim to break the cycle of abuse.”
Further information on multi agency work in the field of domestic abuse is available from Rachel Zammit, Domestic Violence Strategic Co-ordinator on 01244 613822.
