Police could have done more before murder, inquest

A coroner has found police missed opportunities to protect a mother-of-three who was murdered and whose body was hidden in a suitcase inside a wheelie bin.

Matthew Waddell was jailed for a minimum of 32 years for killing his former partner Sarah Albone, 38, at her home in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire.

At an inquest into Albone's death, Emma Whitting, senior coroner for Bedfordshire and Luton, concluded it was an unlawful killing to which Bedfordshire Police failures materially contributed.

The chief constable accepted the force "could and should have done more to protect Sarah" and said it had made significant changes to improve its response to domestic abuse.

Waddell had killed Albone at her Winston Crescent address and hid her body in a suitcase inside a taped-up bin.

The relationship had started in 2020, with Albone attempting to end it two months later due to his coercive and controlling behaviour.

Her remains were found in the bin on 25 February 2023 - three months after she was last seen.

The inquest heard police had been called to her home several times from August 2021.

It found Albone faced such an immediate risk in the 16 months before her murder that the state had a duty to protect her, but had failed to do so.

Police records did not reflect the seriousness of the abuse or properly assess the risks she faced, including when Waddell was found in her garden.

When officers closed an investigation, it had been "devastating" for Albone, who had repeatedly turned to police for help.

The decision left her with no confidence in the force and allowed Waddell to exert greater control over her, the inquest heard.

Her last contact with the police came when a neighbour reported domestic violence.

Police attended and initially arrested Albone for attacking her partner, though the neighbour had reported Waddell would not leave her alone.

The inquest found this was a failure to recognise her violent resistance and no further inquiries were carried out, even though she had been referred to multiple agencies.

The inquest concluded the force had failed to assess the risk Waddell posed, pursue an evidence-led prosecution for coercive and controlling behaviour, or continue criminal investigations and investigate concerns raised by the neighbour.

Chief Constable Trevor Rodenhurst said: "Sarah's death was a tragic and horrific crime. Our thoughts remain with her family, friends and all those who loved her.

"Domestic abuse destroys lives and leaves lasting harm for victims, families and communities. Tackling domestic abuse and protecting vulnerable people remains one of Bedfordshire Police's highest priorities.

"We fully accept that there were opportunities where we could and should have done more to protect Sarah.

"While nothing can undo the pain caused by her death, we are committed to making every effort to continue to improve our response and professional practice."

In response, the force said it had in recent years increased its use of Domestic Violence Protection Notices, appointed a specialist adviser and improved technology to identify risks sooner.

It said it was also carrying out safeguarding visits and preparing a campaign to tackle violence against women this autumn.

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