Georgia Barter took her own life after alleged abuse from her on-off partner Thomas Bignell
Police have been urged to reconsider bringing charges against a man who was found to have ‘driven his on-off partner to taking her own life’ after a decade of alleged physical and emotional abuse. At an inquest into the death of Georgia Barter, 32, in Walthamstow, assistant coroner Dr Shirley Radcliffe recorded a verdict of unlawful killing.
“On or around April 5, 2020 [Georgia] had been assaulted by her long-term partner, who had been violent towards her on a number of occasions during their relationship,” said Dr Radcliffe, “There was clear evidence of her being an individual with a psychiatric history of post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression which had been exacerbated by her partner’s behaviour.”
Thomas Bignell had been arrested on multiple occasions, and had contact with at least four different police forces, but he was never charged with a violent offence against Georgia, the inquest heard. Mr Bignell was investigated again after her death, and the Met Police passed a file to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), but no charges were brought.
Police have said all available lines of enquiry were investigated and the force appealed against the CPS view that there was insufficient evidence. According to The Guardian newspaper, it is understood police are now reviewing the coroner’s findings before they refer another file of evidence to prosecutors.
Inquests use the civil standard of proof rather, meaning a finding of unlawful killing can be made if the coroner believes it was ‘more likely than not’ based on the evidence presented to the court, rather than the criminal standard of ‘beyond reasonable doubt’.
Domestic abuse campaigners – including The Femicide Census, End Violence Against Women Coalition, and Project Resist – have all joined calls not to close off a route to prosecution in light of the coroner’s finding.
Frank Mullane, the chief executive of Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse, a charity that is supporting Barter’s family, told The Guardian: “Although the standards of proof are different for the criminal court and the inquest court, nonetheless, the inquest concluded that Georgia was unlawfully killed.
“Therefore, if the CPS, subsequent to the inquest, decides not to review its decision not to bring charges, the family – and indeed society – is owed a clear explanation as to why.”
‘Now is the time for change’
After the inquest, Dr Radcliffe wrote to the Home Secretary, calling for improvements in the way that the Police National Database is utilised. “[Front line officers] are unable to easily identify if the individual has a history of reported domestic abuse in areas outside the forces’ borders. This would allow police to be more proactive in their dealings with victims of domestic violence,” she said.
Georgia’s mother, Kay, said: “This ruling won’t change anything for my family and I and it won’t bring my beautiful daughter back. Nothing will ever put this heartbroken mother back together again. My darling Georgia was a beautiful, kind soul whose generosity touched everyone around her. It took Georgia a very long time to ask for help because she felt judged and ashamed.
“In the end, Georgia did reach out for help but the support wasn’t there for her. All I want now is to shine a light on the epidemic of domestic abuse which is killing women. I say to the powers that be NOW IS THE TIME FOR CHANGE.”
The solicitor for the family, Clare Hayes, said: “The coroner’s finding of unlawful killing vindicates Georgia’s mother’s fight for justice on behalf of Georgia and makes it a matter of public record that Georgia died as a result of domestic abuse.
“We have heard tragic evidence about the horrifying abuse that Georgia suffered over many, many years and the barriers to escaping a coercive and controlling relationship.
“This inquest has revealed evidence about the role of domestic abuse and importantly coercion and control in Georgia’s death that has much wider significance for how the state understands gender-based violence. It has also revealed that some of the agencies involved have made potentially far-reaching changes.”
Frank Mullane CEO, Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse (AAFDA), said: “It is testament to the resilience of Kay, Georgia’s mother and Georgia’s family and to their love for Georgia, that some justice was achieved late last week in the inquest court. The family first secured a Domestic Abuse Related Death Reviews (“DARDR”) and then stood strong for so many years to ensure that the DARDR unveiled the truth and in detail, and that the inquest reached the right conclusion that Georgia’s death was unlawful killing.”
Garden Court North’s Kate Stone represented Georgia’s family, together with Clare Hayes and Maja Pegler from Deighton Pierce Glynn Solicitors. They are also supported by Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse (AAFDA). If you are affected by the issues in this release, Samaritans are available 24/7. Call 116 123, email [email protected], or visit www.samaritans.org.
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