Marcus WhiteSouth of England
Family photoA coroner’s report on a woman’s murder has called for a new national information-sharing system between police, schools and children’s services.
Lucy-Anne Rushton, 30, was killed by her estranged husband Sean Dyson, 28, in a prolonged attack at her home in Andover in June 2019.
Hampshire coroner Darren Stewart said concerning incidents were recorded by their children’s school and two police forces in the preceding months.
In a Prevention of Future Deaths Report, he said the “lack of a national interface” between authorities was a serious concern.
Dyson kicked, punched and stamped on Ms Rushton while children were in the house, Winchester Crown Court previously heard.
He then disappeared and messaged police, family and friends over a 10-hour period, telling them that his wife had drowned when he threw water over her to wake her up.
Police found him that afternoon hiding in a cupboard in a bedroom during a second “more thorough” search of the property.
He was jailed for a minimum of 17 years in December 2019.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight ConstabularyIn his report, the coroner outlined several mistakes and missed opportunities by authorities.
Mr Stewart said police were called to a hotel in Bournemouth in September 2018 following a report of an altercation between the couple.
However, Ms Rushton made no complaint and police did not secure CCTV evidence which showed the physical confrontation, he said.
Dorset Police submitted a Public Protection Notice (PPN), which raised a safeguarding concern.
However, Hampshire County Council did not take action because the notice was confused with another PPN, Mr Stewart added.
In 2019, the couple’s children told school staff several times about violence between their parents.
On two occasions, the school made no report and once a referral was not accepted by children’s services.
In May of that year, police received a complaint about concerning images of Ms Rushton on her husband’s mobile phone.
The police did not follow up several lines of inquiry or carry out a formal risk assessment and the matter was closed, the coroner said.
Writing to Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, he said he was concerned about a risk of future deaths.
Mr Stewart said there was no “national interface to enable reporting/communication between schools using safeguarding record keeping systems… and relevant agencies, including Police and Children’s Services”.
He said there was also a lack of national guidance on whether and how to make a safeguarding referral.
The Secretary of State has until 29 October to respond.
Hampshire and Dorset’s police forces have been approached for comment.
Hampshire County Council told the BBC: “While no recommendations were made by the Coroner for the County Council, we and our partners always look to learn lessons from such sad circumstances.”
