IOPC to investigate victim contact with Derbyshire Constabulary prior to stabbing
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched an investigation into how Derbyshire Constabulary dealt with reports of abuse from a woman who was later stabbed by her ex-boyfriend.
Aaron Booth had started a relationship with the victim in 2018 but she had repeatedly tried to end it due to his abusive behaviour.
In February, 27-year-old Booth broke into the woman’s home in Glossop, Derbyshire, and attacked her. He then chased her outside and stabbed her repeatedly in front of officers who had just arrived at the scene. Booth then let her go and barricaded himself inside the house for three hours.
At Manchester Crown Court in October, Booth was jailed for 14 years after admitting wounding with intent. He was also given an indefinite restraining order and will serve six years on licence after his release.
The IOPC said Derbyshire Constabulary had received “a number” of reports of domestic abuse involving the pair between September last year and the attack.
IOPC regional director Derrick Campbell said: “We will be considering the force’s response to incidents reported to them prior to the stabbing and whether there is any learning that can be identified. We have made initial contact with the woman concerned to explain our role and we will be keeping her regularly updated as our inquiries progress.”
Derbyshire Constabulary, which referred itself to the IOPC in November, said it could not comment at this stage in the inquiry.
