Police officer admits misconduct

Colette Lynch was stabbed to death by her estranged partner

A Warwickshire police officer has admitted misconduct over the death of a mother stabbed by her ex-partner.

Colette Lynch, 24, was killed by Percy Wright in Rugby on 3 February, 2005.

Pc Charlotte Hall, 30, admitted failing to perform her duties "diligently and conscientiously" when called to Ms Lynch's home two days earlier.

A second officer, Pc Theresa Cottingham, denies misconduct. The police disciplinary hearing is the first to held in public.

The hearing for the officers, who are based in Rugby, was brought by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC). It is expected to last up to five days.

These two officers simply did nothing to protect Colette Stephen Morley, presenting barrister

Last year the IPCC held an inquiry into the circumstances leading up to the death of Ms Lynch, who was fatally stabbed in Garyth Williams Close, Rugby, on 3 February 2005.

Wright, 35, was charged with her murder but convicted of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility and made subject to a hospital order under the Mental Health Act.

Presenting barrister Stephen Morley said that the officers had arrived at Ms Lynch's home after a "violent domestic incident" in which Wright, who was receiving mental health treatment and considered psychotic and delusional, had broken a window.

'No arrangements'

He said Wright was not arrested after a third officer judged him to be of "sound mind" and Ms Lynch opted not to make a complaint.

Mr Morley alleged Pcs Hall and Cottingham had not followed the force's policy on dealing with such incidents, had not taken action to protect Ms Lynch and had not properly managed the situation.

He said Pc Hall had written 11 words about the incident in her notebook and Pc Cottingham nine words.

He added: "Having left Colette, Pcs Hall and Pc Cottingham, it would appear, simply did nothing else.

"No arrangements were made to see Colette on any other date... no domestic violence form was filled out and no crime was logged or recorded.

'Impossible to know'

"These two officers simply did nothing to protect Colette.

"We do not say that Colette would still be alive today if these two officers had carried out their duties properly and professionally that evening.

"It is, of course, impossible to know."

During the IPCC investigation, one officer resigned and another officer received a written warning for failing to arrest Wright.

A control room worker was also given a final written warning by Warwickshire Police following the inquiry.

The hearing continues.