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-essex-28243622
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Eystna Blunnie murder: 'Chances missed' to prevent death | Eystna Blunnie murder: 'Chances missed' to prevent death |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Opportunities were missed to protect a heavily-pregnant teenager who was beaten to death by her ex-boyfriend, a report has revealed. | Opportunities were missed to protect a heavily-pregnant teenager who was beaten to death by her ex-boyfriend, a report has revealed. |
Eystna Blunnie, 19, was murdered by Tony McLernon in Harlow, Essex, in June 2012. | Eystna Blunnie, 19, was murdered by Tony McLernon in Harlow, Essex, in June 2012. |
The Safer Harlow Partnership found there were many signs she was in danger before she was fatally attacked. | The Safer Harlow Partnership found there were many signs she was in danger before she was fatally attacked. |
It recommended agencies should work together better to share information about high risk adults. | It recommended agencies should work together better to share information about high risk adults. |
The report investigated the build up to Miss Blunnie's death and McLernon's history with mental health service providers. | The report investigated the build up to Miss Blunnie's death and McLernon's history with mental health service providers. |
It referred to an incident two months before Miss Blunnie - who was nine months pregnant - was murdered in which McLernon had squeezed her by the throat until she could not breathe, threatening "he would kill her". | |
Essex Police asked the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for advice on whether he could be charged with an offence. | Essex Police asked the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for advice on whether he could be charged with an offence. |
At the time, the CPS decided there was not enough evidence. It later admitted that decision was wrong. | At the time, the CPS decided there was not enough evidence. It later admitted that decision was wrong. |
McLernon, 24, left Miss Blunnie for dead in the middle of a road. He was jailed for life at Chelmsford Crown Court following a trial in March and will serve a minimum of 27 years before he is eligible for parole. | McLernon, 24, left Miss Blunnie for dead in the middle of a road. He was jailed for life at Chelmsford Crown Court following a trial in March and will serve a minimum of 27 years before he is eligible for parole. |
Miss Blunnie's father Kevin said he believes his daughter would still be alive if McLernon had been prosecuted. | Miss Blunnie's father Kevin said he believes his daughter would still be alive if McLernon had been prosecuted. |
"For that mistake, we lost our daughter and granddaughter," he said. | "For that mistake, we lost our daughter and granddaughter," he said. |
"In our hearts, we feel had action been taken at that point, it would have made a difference." | "In our hearts, we feel had action been taken at that point, it would have made a difference." |
The report's author, Jackie Sully, said no one could be sure if charging McLernon would have changed the course of events leading to Miss Blunnie's death. | The report's author, Jackie Sully, said no one could be sure if charging McLernon would have changed the course of events leading to Miss Blunnie's death. |
She was concerned that agencies involved in domestic violence cases did not share information internally or with other organisations. | She was concerned that agencies involved in domestic violence cases did not share information internally or with other organisations. |
"If nobody is getting the bigger picture, how on earth can you take steps to prevent what sometimes seems inevitable?" she said. | "If nobody is getting the bigger picture, how on earth can you take steps to prevent what sometimes seems inevitable?" she said. |
A Essex Police spokesperson said: "We acknowledge the findings of this review and we have worked hard to address the recommendations that have been made. | A Essex Police spokesperson said: "We acknowledge the findings of this review and we have worked hard to address the recommendations that have been made. |
"We are committed to improving the police and partnership working that underpins the effective combating of domestic abuse." | "We are committed to improving the police and partnership working that underpins the effective combating of domestic abuse." |
The CPS is yet to comment. | The CPS is yet to comment. |
Previous version
1
Next version