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Linzi Ashton murder: Police told of sex assault in April Linzi Ashton murder: Police told of sex assault in April
(about 1 hour later)
A mother-of-two who was found "brutally murdered" at her home had reported her former partner for a "serious sexual offence", police have said.A mother-of-two who was found "brutally murdered" at her home had reported her former partner for a "serious sexual offence", police have said.
Linzi Ashton's body was found on Saturday evening at the house in Westbourne Road in Winton, Salford. Linzi Ashton's body was found on Saturday at the house in Westbourne Road in Winton, Salford.
Greater Manchester Police said the 25-year-old had reported Michael Cope, 28, in April. She also made an allegation of assault against him in May. A post-mortem examination found the 25-year-old died as a result of pressure to the neck and multiple injuries.
Mr Cope is wanted by police in connection with Ms Ashton's death. Police said she had reported Michael Cope, 28, in April. Mr Cope is wanted by police in connection with her death.
She also made an allegation of assault against him in May.
Ms Ashton, whose body was found by a relative, had daughters aged seven and two.Ms Ashton, whose body was found by a relative, had daughters aged seven and two.
A Home Office post-mortem examination to establish the cause of death has yet to take place. A police spokesman said it had been "established that Linzi and Michael were out together on Friday night and in the early hours of Saturday morning".
Det Ch Supt Darren Shenton said Ms Ashton had been "brutally murdered" and that she had visible injuries to her head and face.Det Ch Supt Darren Shenton said Ms Ashton had been "brutally murdered" and that she had visible injuries to her head and face.
He said that he believed Mr Cope was in Salford and that police would take a "particularly dim view of anyone who provides assistance" to him.He said that he believed Mr Cope was in Salford and that police would take a "particularly dim view of anyone who provides assistance" to him.
'Enhanced scrutiny''Enhanced scrutiny'
The Greater Manchester force has referred the case to the Independent Police Complaints Commission because of the reports it received about the couple.The Greater Manchester force has referred the case to the Independent Police Complaints Commission because of the reports it received about the couple.
Assistant Chief Constable Terry Sweeney said the force would "rightly come under enhanced scrutiny" because of the reports.Assistant Chief Constable Terry Sweeney said the force would "rightly come under enhanced scrutiny" because of the reports.
The force has previously faced criticism for its failure to protect victims of domestic violence.The force has previously faced criticism for its failure to protect victims of domestic violence.
In the case of Clare Wood, who made several complaints to police before she was strangled and burnt by a violent and obsessive ex-boyfriend in Salford in 2009, the IPCC concluded there had been "individual and systemic" failures by the force.In the case of Clare Wood, who made several complaints to police before she was strangled and burnt by a violent and obsessive ex-boyfriend in Salford in 2009, the IPCC concluded there had been "individual and systemic" failures by the force.
Her death led to the inception of the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS), a scheme nicknamed Clare's Law after Ms Wood, which gives people the right to ask police if their partner has a history of domestic violence.Her death led to the inception of the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS), a scheme nicknamed Clare's Law after Ms Wood, which gives people the right to ask police if their partner has a history of domestic violence.
The force is currently involved in a year-long trial of the scheme, which is due to conclude in September.The force is currently involved in a year-long trial of the scheme, which is due to conclude in September.
GMP revealed last week that it had so far received 90 applications for information from people or agencies and it had made 53 disclosures.GMP revealed last week that it had so far received 90 applications for information from people or agencies and it had made 53 disclosures.