Legal News
Family Allow To Continue With Damages Claims against Two Police Forces (30 November 2011)
Date: 30/11/2011
A High Court judge has ruled that the relatives of a woman murdered by her former partner in 2009 can continue with their compensation claims against the police. Joanna Michael, from Cardiff, called for the help of the emergency services twice while being attacked by former partner Cyron Williams, yet when officers finally arrived at the scene of the crime in St. Mellons, she was found to be dead.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) ruled that both South Wales Police force and Gwent Police force had failed Ms. Michael. A Cardiff Crown Court judge refused the police forces the permission required to appeal the case. The two forces will now be required to attend the appeal court should they wish to further challenge the ruling.
Ms. Michael was murdered when Mr. Williams forced his way into her accommodation and found her to be in the presence of another man. Mr. Williams stabbed Ms. Michael 72 times with a knife. In March 2010, Mr Williams was handed a prison term for life, with the recommendation from Cardiff Crown Court that he serve at least 20 years, following admitting his guilt to murder.
The IPCC launched an investigation after it emerged that Ms. Michael had made two 999 calls. The police responded to the call 22 minutes later. The IPCC found that Ms. Michael had been failed by South Wales Police, Gwent Police and the emergency services system itself. Both police forces had requested that Judge Milwyn Jarman strike out Ms. Michael’s relatives’ damages claim.
Duncan Lewis’ criminal law solicitors can support families seeking to claim damages against the failings of the emergency services.