Inquest examines police contact with Sarah Albone before Biggleswade murder

An inquest is reviewing how police and services interacted with Sarah Albone before her murder by partner Matthew Waddell, jailed for 32 years in 2023.

Inquest into Sarah Albone murder to scrutinise police and agency response

Google News UK — Crime (en) reports that a formal inquest has opened into the murder of Sarah Albone, a 38-year-old mother of three from Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, with coroner Emma Whitting set to examine the contact Albone had with police and other public services before her death.

Matthew Waddell was sentenced to a minimum of 32 years in 2023 after being convicted of killing Albone and concealing her body in a suitcase inside a taped-up wheelie bin at her home on Winston Crescent. Her remains were found on 25 February 2023, three months after she was last seen. A pathologist confirmed she had suffered severe facial injuries, including a broken jaw, consistent with being struck and stamped on.

Steve Hassall, a former senior detective who chaired a multi-agency domestic homicide review, told the inquest there should have been "some understanding" that Albone — who had multiple sclerosis — was at real risk of being killed. Hassall said opportunities had been missed and that a number of detailed recommendations for improvements had been made as a result of the review, which has yet to be published.

Albone had made an assault complaint in December 2021 and had catalogued Waddell's controlling and aggressive behaviour, jurors at his trial had been told. Waddell subsequently ignored bail conditions after being arrested on suspicion of harassment. Hassall told the coroner that Albone had ultimately stopped trusting the police.

Prosecutors at Luton Crown Court said the couple's relationship began in late 2020. Waddell had been homeless when he met Albone and quickly moved into her home. They said Albone had become dependent on him due to her medical conditions, and that Waddell had developed what they described as an "obsession."

Hassall also called on the government to "do more" to promote awareness of the risks posed by coercive and controlling behaviour in relationships.

Coroner Whitting said she intended to ensure "lessons are learned" from the "terrible tragedy" and noted that Waddell had declined a request to participate in the inquest proceedings. Evidence is expected to be heard over several days.

Source: Google News UK — Crime (en)