The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) “failed” the family of a 21-year-old woman after her death two years ago in Derry, initially treating it as suicide rather than a suspected murder, the police watchdog has said.
The report by the Police Ombudsman of Northern Ireland comes amid renewed concerns that gender-based violence is not being taken seriously enough in the region with the highest rate of femicide per capita of all nations in the UK and in the island of Ireland.
Katie Simpson, a show jumper, died in hospital in Derry six days after an incident but it was not until the following year that Jonathan Creswell was arrested on suspicion of murder.
The police ombudsman investigation concluded that the police investigation was hindered and “flawed” because of the misleading working assumption adopted by a number of officers that Simpson’s injuries were self-inflicted.
They criticised a “lack of investigative mindset” taking into account police had received intelligence that Simpson may have been the victim of controlling behaviours, that the attempted suicide was suspicious, that she had not fallen from a horse, and that medical staff had also expressed concerns about the circumstances of her injuries.
The police ombudsman chief executive, Hugh Hume, said although this intelligence was viewed and logged by police, it “did not change the direction of the police investigation”.
“There appeared to be a general lack of an investigative mindset which contributed to shortcomings,” he said.
The investigation found there were no effective searches carried out at Simpson’s address and that no supervisory officer attended the house at the initial stages of the investigation.
Among the other investigative failings identified by the police ombudsman was the lack of consideration given to gathering potential physical evidence from Simpson herself.
These included blood samples and photographs of her injuries, despite police being aware at an early stage that she was unlikely to survive.
They “missed opportunities” to interview key witnesses and did not question Creswell’s claim that she had been injured after falling from a horse.
The trial of Creswell, 36, for the murder of Simpson ended in April after his sudden death.
Katie’s mother, Noleen Mullan, told a press conference: “The people who are responsible for what’s happened here from the start are nowhere to be seen.
“And it leaves you feeling empty. There’s been no achievement made, for me. I wanted them to be made accountable but I don’t think they ever will be.”
The police ombudsman investigation identified breaches of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) code of ethics in respect of professional duty, the conduct of police investigations and the duty of supervisors.
As a result, disciplinary recommendations were made to the PSNI in respect of six police officers. No action was taken against three officers, two of whom had retired and one for whom no misconduct was proven.
One police officer received a written warning, another received action aimed at improving performance and one received management advice.
The family’s solicitor, Kevin Winters, described the ombudsman’s findings as a “stepping stone on what’s still a long, tortuous road to justice for the Simpson family”.
“Today’s findings help provide much-needed answers but equally there are unresolved issues arising from new complaints, one of which involves a serving member of police,” he said.
An inquest is also due to be held to examine the circumstances of the death of Simpson.
• In the UK, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123 and the domestic abuse helpline is 0808 2000 247. In the US, the suicide prevention lifeline is 988 and the domestic violence hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is on 13 11 14 and the national family violence counselling service is on 1800 737 732. Other international helplines can be found via www.befrienders.org
