This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-23142434
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Linzi Ashton murder: Reward offered for capture of Michael Cope | Linzi Ashton murder: Reward offered for capture of Michael Cope |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A £5,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the arrest of a man being sought in connection with the murder of his ex-partner in Salford. | A £5,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the arrest of a man being sought in connection with the murder of his ex-partner in Salford. |
Michael Cope, 28, is wanted over the death of Linzi Ashton, 25, who was found dead at her home in Westbourne Road, Winton, on Saturday. | |
Ch Supt Kevin Mulligan said Mr Cope represented "a risk to the community". | Ch Supt Kevin Mulligan said Mr Cope represented "a risk to the community". |
He also reiterated a warning that anyone found to be helping Mr Cope evade arrest would be prosecuted. | He also reiterated a warning that anyone found to be helping Mr Cope evade arrest would be prosecuted. |
Mr Mulligan said a photograph of the 28-year-old had been "widely circulated but he has still not handed himself in, so it is likely that he is being offered sanctuary by his associates". | |
"That is why we are announcing this reward for anyone who has information leading to Cope's arrest and conviction," he added. | |
"I want people to think long and hard and if you know where Cope is then coming forward will not only lead to a financial reward but also the reward of helping to give Linzi's family the justice they deserve." | |
'Acrimonious' | 'Acrimonious' |
A police spokesman said it was thought the mother-of-two was last seen alive by a friend at about 02:00 BST on Saturday. | |
She had been seen "out together in public" with Mr Cope on Friday. | She had been seen "out together in public" with Mr Cope on Friday. |
Her body was discovered at about 18:00 BST on the same day. | |
The spokesman said she had been in a brief but "acrimonious" relationship with Mr Cope, but police had been trying to arrest him since April, when she made an allegation of rape against him. | |
Ms Ashton also made a subsequent report of assault against Mr Cope in May. | Ms Ashton also made a subsequent report of assault against Mr Cope in May. |
Greater Manchester Police has referred the case to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) because of those 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. |
The case of Clare Wood, who made several complaints to police before she was killed by an obsessive ex-boyfriend in 2009, led the IPCC to conclude there had been "individual and systemic" failures by the force. | The case of Clare Wood, who made several complaints to police before she was killed by an obsessive ex-boyfriend in 2009, led the IPCC to conclude there had been "individual and systemic" failures by the force. |
That case 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. | That case 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. |
Previous version
1
Next version