Family blame justice system for womans murder
Concerns around the criminal justice system, rather than police failings, have been highlighted by the family of a woman who was murdered by her former partner despite the harassment being reported to police on numerous occasions.
Concerns around the criminal justice system, rather than police failings, have been highlighted by the family of a woman who was murdered by her former partner despite the harassment being reported to police on numerous occasions.
Jeanette Goodwin was stabbed 30 times by Martin Bunch in front of her husband at her home in Southend, in July 2011. The 47-year-old was killed despite Bunch having been repeatedly reported to Essex Police, who the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said took the matter seriously and asked for Bunch to be remanded in custody to protect Mrs Goodwin.
Bunch was jailed for life with a minimum term of 27 years after he was convicted at Chelmsford Crown Court earlier this year.
The IPCC said Essex Police played a positive role in supporting Mrs Goodwin during the course of the domestic abuse incidents after seven reports to police were made from January 2011 of harassment and domestic violence by Mr Bunch. The IPCC praised the force for repeatedly offering her emotional and practical assistance, is evident and not underestimated.
In a statement, the family of Mrs Goodwin said that although the IPCC report highlighted areas of procedures that could have been better on the day of her death, their main concerns lie with the justice system.
The family said: Bunch on many occasions had been arrested for his part in harassing Jeanette. Bail conditions were set and he was repeatedly tagged which he showed complete disregard to by ultimately removing these, enabling this murderer to get even closer to our Jeanette, until finally the justice system allowed him to commit the unbelievable act of murder.
However, the IPCC did highlight some areas of concern at Essex Police. It said that on the day of her murder, it did not provide an essential emergency response to a high-risk victim. This was due to a breakdown of communication, a lack of resources and a failure to appropriately prioritise the case.
Essex Police accepted the findings of the report and said it has taken steps to address issues.
Deputy Chief Constable Derek Benson said: The forces domestic abuse policy has been updated and the need to answer a set of questions, known as a standard operating procedure (SOP), for every report of domestic abuse has been reinforced.