Inquest into Sarah Albone murder to scrutinise police contact in Biggleswade

An inquest is examining whether police and professionals failed Sarah Albone, killed by her partner Matthew Waddell in 2023. Waddell was jailed for at least 32 years.

Inquest hears missed opportunities before Biggleswade mother's murder

Google News UK — Crime (en) reports that an inquest is under way into the death of Sarah Albone, a 38-year-old mother of three whose body was discovered concealed in a wheelie bin at her home in Winston Crescent, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, in February 2023.

Matthew Waddell was convicted of her murder at Luton Crown Court in 2023 and handed a mandatory life sentence, with a minimum term of 32 years. Prosecutors told the court that Waddell had killed Albone and hidden her body in a suitcase inside a taped-up bin. Her remains were not found until 25 February 2023 — three months after she was last seen alive. A pathologist confirmed she had suffered severe facial injuries, including a broken jaw, consistent with being struck and stamped on.

Steve Hassall, the former senior detective who chaired a multi-agency domestic homicide review into the case, gave evidence at Monday's inquest hearing. He told coroner Emma Whitting that there should have been "some understanding" that Albone — who had multiple sclerosis — was at real risk of being murdered by Waddell. Hassall added that a number of detailed recommendations for improvements had been made as part of the review, which has yet to be published.

Hassall described how Waddell had been homeless when he met Albone and moved in with her quickly. Prosecutors had told the original trial that Albone became dependent on Waddell because of her medical conditions, and that he had developed an "obsession" with her. Their relationship began in late 2020.

Albone had made an assault complaint against Waddell in December 2021 and documented his controlling and aggressive behaviour, jurors at the murder trial were told. Waddell subsequently ignored bail conditions after being arrested on suspicion of harassment. Hassall told the inquest that Albone had eventually stopped trusting the police, and that opportunities to intervene had been missed.

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

Coroner Whitting said she intended to examine the contact Albone had with police and other services before her death, and that she wanted to ensure "lessons are learned" from what she described as a "terrible tragedy". The inquest is expected to hear evidence over several days.

Waddell, who denied murder throughout his trial, declined a request to participate in the inquest proceedings, Whitting confirmed.

Source: Google News UK — Crime (en)