Opportunities were missed to intervene in the violent relationship of murder victim Michelle Suttle and her boyfriend Gavin Sartain, a report has concluded.
Sartain, 31, stabbed Michelle to death in a frenzied attack at their home in Oakes in June 2011.
He pleaded guilty to her murder and was jailed for 12 years at Bradford Crown Court in October that year.
During the trial the court heard how Michelle, 23, – a former Rastrick High School pupil – was knifed 39 times in an attack in the hallway of their Baker Street house.
The court heard their relationship had been marred by violence and arguments.
But a comprehensive report into Michelle’s death by Kirklees Safer Stronger Communities Board has now concluded that there was evidence of domestic abuse by Sartain dating back to 2009.
It says the murder could not have been predicted but goes on to say there were “missed opportunities” for services to intervene to “address their violent relationship” and alcohol and drug use.
The report reveals agencies, including the probation service, GPs, A&E doctors and mental health workers along with West Yorkshire Police, had all come into contact with the couple and that Sartain had been admitted to hospital for anti-psychotic treatment just six months earlier.
The report adds: “No co-ordinated response to the domestic abuse was triggered by any incident or involvement of services.
“There is evidence of a lack of multi-agency working.
“Agencies failed to share information and as a result there was not the required level of shared analysis, planning and inter-agency practice.
“The police should have been more proactive in relation to multi-agency working by contact with mental health services.”
The report also criticises the quality of record keeping and says Kirklees Council has “taken a high-risk approach to domestic violence which, as a result, makes it more difficult to intervene earlier in cases.”
Sartain was not under supervision of West Yorkshire Probation Service at the time of the murder but had been so four times previously.
The report says the service could have been more vigilant with some of its assessments in recognising the complexity of domestic abuse.
Michelle’s father Raymond told the authors of the report the family was suspicious that abuse was going on but she had denied it.
But he said he thought there was nothing anyone could have done “because of the control that Sartain had over her”.
In the report Mr Suttle praised the response of the police following the murder of his daughter and said the family had received considerable support.
The 73-page report includes recommendations for improvements for social workers at Kirklees Council, hospital workers at Calderdale and Huddersfield Foundation Trust, West Yorkshire Police, West Yorkshire Probation Service, mental health workers at South West Yorkshire Foundation Trust and NHS commissioners in Kirklees.
KIirklees Safer Stronger Communities Board says the report was a new requirement of the Home Office and as such was the first carried out in Kirklees.
A board spokesman said: “Many different agencies were involved in this case and there is a shared commitment to supporting people who are affected by domestic violence.
“Sadly this case had a tragic ending, resulting in a conviction.
“The review of the case is being used as a means for all agencies to identify ways they can develop their working practices.
“All agencies strive to prevent domestic abuse and to tackle the huge impact it can have on families across the district.
“There are a number of recommendations in the report including developing awareness of domestic violence and providing staff with further training.
“The review was carried out independently and information was gathered from doctors and hospitals, mental health services, the ambulance service, probation services, the local authority and housing.
“The family of the victim was kept informed throughout.
“All agencies are focused on tackling this difficult and complex area of work so that vulnerable people are protected. Our aim is to ensure that victims get the best possible support.
“It is a sad fact that many incidents of domestic violence go unreported.
“Nobody should suffer in silence and we urge anyone affected to contact Kirklees Council on 01924 431491. Dial 999 in an emergency, or 101 for a non-emergency situation.”
To talk to someone about domestic violence at any time of the day or night contact Pennine Domestic Violence Group on 0800 052 7222. They provide a free, 24-hour confidential service and assistance to temporary emergency safe accommodation.
Those at risk of hurting someone they love can get help from Respect who provide a National Phoneline: 0808 802 4040 Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. Or visit the website at www.respectphoneline.org.uk or, locally Kirklees Domestic Violence Perpetrator Programme 01484 519922. Or email: dvppenquiries@ncc.org.uk
Detective Chief Inspector Paul Jeffrey from Kirklees CID, said: “This was a tragic incident that resulted in the death of a woman in our community in 2011 who was a victim of domestic violence.
“Domestic violence is a key concern for WY Police and we are committed to providing an appropriate and timely response to any incident of this type.
“The independent report states no agency could have prevented Michelle’s death and there were not any negative factors regarding the police response to reported domestic violence incidents or police interaction with the victim prior to her death.
“That said, West Yorkshire Police has continued to develop its safeguarding response to all forms of abuse and we recognise that making the most of opportunities to share information and refer to partner agencies is an integral part of our management of risk.
“Police policy and practice with regards to investigating adult abuse, safeguarding victims and strengthening working with partners was reviewed and changes were implemented prior to the publication of this review that were designed to ensure we deliver a victim centred approach where it is possible to do so.
“I would urge anyone who is a victim of domestic violence in Kirklees to contact Police on 101.”
Probation chief Mark Siddall said the service had ceased contact with Sartain eight months before the murder.
Mr Siddall, director of operations for West Yorkshire Probation Trust, said: “The review concluded that the offender supervision provided by West Yorkshire Probation was generally satisfactory and that appointments appropriately focused on anger management, thinking and behaviour.
“The offender’s final Community Order was completed satisfactorily eight months before the offence of murder was committed.
“West Yorkshire Probation regularly reviews practice and has implemented all four recommendations from the report.
“In 2012 we introduced a unique approach to offender management in partnership with West Yorkshire Courts Service.
“Post Sentence Assessment enables us to carry out a thorough assessment for each offender post sentence which means we are now better able to identify issues and seek information that cannot be sourced pre sentence.
“We utilise that information in developing the most appropriate interventions to address offending behaviour.”
