Police delayed seeing a woman who had reported domestic violence for nine days and failed to inform her of her partner's violent past. Journalist Teresa McMahon was found dead at home less than two weeks after asking police for help.
Police also lost vital bodycam footage, a new watchdog report has found. Teresa was found hanged at her flat. An investigation into the police response to Teresa's case is to be re-conducted after a family complaint. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said the investigation conducted by GMP into the complaints made "was not adequate, reasonable or proportionate" and that "lines of enquiry had not been pursued", reports MEN.
It has directed the force "to reinvestigate the complaints in line with procedures outlined in their domestic abuse policy.” An inquest will now be postponed.
The full report by the IOPC says Teresa had reported domestic abuse in the weeks before she died. She had ended the relationship but accused her former partner of pressurising her into resuming it.
She asked GMP for details of his history of violence but they refused, saying as she was no longer in a relationship she had no right to see it. A police bodycam recording of an interview with Teresa. discussing her concerns, 12 days before she died was lost by the force.
The IOPC review of the way GMP handled the family's complaint says: "In regards to the decision to disclose information to Teresa under Clare’s Law... guidance stipulates that the scheme applies to former partners, as well as current partners. Accordingly, this could be revisited and considered as part of the reinvestigation.
"It is of note that Teresa informed officers that she had ended the relationship, however, she informed the police that he was pushing to reconcile the relationship.
"Was consideration given by the officers involved in this matter of the possibility that Teresa may have returned to the relationship and were the risks surrounding this considered? Or were the risks considered if (he) could have been a risk to Teresa despite them having ended the relationship.
"Teresa is described by the investigating officer as not engaging with officers, or hesitant to provide further details of the situation, and she informed officers that she did not wish to proceed with any further police action. The reinvestigation could consider what Teresa’s motive would be behind this, was she afraid of repercussions, or experiencing coercion and control within her relationship."
Teresa reported domestic abuse at 4.23am on July 12 2021 via an email to police. The incident log states that Teresa’s crime report was initially assessed as being suitable to be dealt with via the Domestic Abuse appointment process, rather than the other option of the police to attend as a matter of urgency.
Teresa was asked to attend an appointment on July 13. But the appointment was cancelled due to “resourcing issues ahead of the appointment which were identified along with the need to reschedule.”
The IOPC report says: "It is of note that Teresa was visited at her home address on 21 July 2021. This is a delay of nine days, and in my view, this would be a significant time to have passed in regard to an investigation of this nature.
"The police investigator does not appear to have addressed and provided a meaningful rationale for this delay, and demonstrated if any consideration was made in regard to how this could have impacted Teresa and how she would feel about pursuing this matter."
The reports says: "It is of note that Teresa's former partner had a history of offending on PNC, (Police National Computer) and this intelligence was available to officers. Therefore, what considerations of risk were made in regard Teresa. The reinvestigation could consider if it was an appropriate decision to dismiss this information when all of the information is put into context?"
It adds that the reinvestigation should "provide a meaningful rationale" as to why bodycam footage of Teresa being interviewed by an officer on July 21 at her home was not retained. GMP disclosed it has been lost or not retained due a "system fault".
The IOPC report concludes: "Due to the nature and profile of this investigation, the force may wish to consider whether the reinvestigation should be subject to special procedures."
In August last year, a second pre-inquest review heard that Teresa was "a vulnerable individual locked in a coercive and controlling relationship," described as "toxic".
In a previous pre-inquest review senior coroner Timothy Brennand, told how the 43-year-old producer and news editor was found dead at her flat on August 3, 2021. Reports of concerns over abuse had been made to police before her death - by friends, colleagues and family members.
The court heard how an investigation by Greater Manchester Police had ruled out any criminal activity.
A GMP spokesperson said: "GMP is re-investigating the complaint and note an Inquest into the death of Teresa McMahon is due to be heard, so we are unable to comment further at this stage." They added: "Under our regulations we are unable to comment while PSB (GMP's Professional Standards Branch) or the IOPC are investigating."
