The police force with an appalling record of protecting women from stalkers: Gracie Spinks becomes the latest victim let down by Derbyshire Police in catalogue of failures – with four murdered since 2004
Gracie Spinks has become the latest woman to be let down by Derbyshire Police in a catalogue of failures that has seen four women, a man and a baby killed since 2004.
Ms Spinks, 23, was stabbed in the neck by an ex-colleague she had reported to police for stalking months before her death in a suspected murder-suicide, an inquest jury found today.
The model was knifed by Michael Sellers, 35, as she tended to her horse at Blue Lodge Farm in Duckmanton, Derbyshire on June 18, 2021.
Her tragic death came after Helen Hancock and her new partner Martin Griffiths were both killed in the early hours of New Year’s Day 2020 by her estranged husband Rhys Hancock – who was on police bail at the time – after he found out about their relationship.
In June 2010, Rachael Slack, 38, and her 23-month-old son Auden were stabbed to death in their home by her ex partner Andrew Cairns despite Rachael repeatedly telling police she feared for her life.
And in 2004 showjumper Tania Moore, 26, was rammed off a country lane near Alkmonkton in March 2004 and shot in the face by her former boyfriend Mark Dyche, then 36, after she broke off their engagement.
She had repeatedly told police about her fears following a robbery at her stables, stalking and threats to gouge out her eyes and break her legs from the gun fanatic, who had a history of violence.
Gracie Spinks was unlawfully killed by the man she had reported for stalking, an inquest jury has unanimously concluded
Helen Hancock (left) and her new partner Martin Griffiths, (right) were both killed in the early hours of New Year’s Day 2020 by her estranged husband, Rhys Hancock, after he found out about their relationship
Rachael Slack, 38, (pictured) and her 23-month-old son Auden were stabbed to death in their home by her ex partner Andrew Cairns in June 2010
Tania Moore, 26, (pictured) was rammed off a country lane near Alkmonkton in March 2004 and shot in the face by her former boyfriend Mark Dyche, then 36
Referring to Sellers as ‘the supervisor’ in their conclusion at Chesterfield Coroner’s Court, the foreman said: ‘It was the supervisor that killed Gracie.’ Sellers was later found dead a short distance away.
The medical cause of Ms Spinks’ death was given as a stab wound to the neck.
In the weeks before the young model’s murder, a bag containing a hammer, an axe and some knives was handed in to police after being found close to where Spinks was subsequently killed.
But the PC tasked with investigating the chilling find said she had ‘no blazing concerns’ over the Nike rucksack, and considered its contents were more likely to be related to a ‘sex act, theatrical performance, or woodwork’. The bag was subsequently filed as ‘lost and found property’.
It was later found to belong to Sellers, who had a history of harassing women at work.
Gracie had also called Derbyshire police to report Sellers after he followed her one day but he was simply given ‘words of advice’. The police watchdog has previously said five Derbyshire police officers have ‘cases to answer’ and should face misconduct hearings.
The court heard Ms Spinks, a talented artist and part-time model, had spurned Sellers’ romantic advances six months before her death. In February 2021 she reported the ‘complete weirdo’ to police after he was seen loitering in a layby near the stables – warning: ‘He could kidnap someone’.
But a PC merely issued Sellers with ‘words of advice’. The court heard this was done because although Ms Spinks wanted Sellers’ behaviour on file, she did not wish to pursue a prosecution.
In the final days of the hearing, Detective Superintendent Darren De’ath, who leads Derbyshire Constabulary’s public protection team, formally apologised to the Spinks family in court and said the force ‘should have done better’.
Multiple failings already admitted by Derbyshire Police were referred to in the record of inquest filled in by the jurors, but they had been prevented by a coroner from deciding whether the failings had contributed to Ms Spinks’ death. Pictured: Grace Spinks
Ms Spinks, 23, was fatally stabbed by 35-year-old Michael Sellers (pictured) as she tended to her horse at Blue Lodge Farm in Duckmanton, Derbyshire, on June 18 2021. Sellers was later found dead a short distance away
Helen Hancock and her new partner Martin Griffiths were killed after her estranged ex found out about their relationship.
A court heard Hancock was on police bail at the time of the murders after he allegedly threw an object at his wife in October 2019, causing a laceration.
Read more: Gracie Spinks was stabbed in the neck by stalker ex-colleague in ‘murder-suicide’, inquest into model’s death rules: Jury finds 23-year-old was unlawfully killed by man she had reported to police months earlier
His mother had contacted police to warn that he was on the way to Ms Hancock’s home armed with two knives but officers could not get to the house in time.
Rhys Hancock, formerly a head teacher of a special school, was jailed for life with a minimum of 31 years in October 2020.
The force referred itself to the IOPC due to the contact between Derbyshire Police and Helen in the period leading up to the murders.
The IOPC looked at the actions of three Derbyshire Constabulary officers after Helen reported a breach of a non-molestation order on 30 December 2019 – just days before she died.
The investigation did not find any evidence the officers had responded other than in accordance with current local and national policy and procedures.
But two officers were given words of advice regarding Derbyshire Constabulary’s positive action policy and recording rationale behind decision making.
The investigation found that no action could have been taken to prevent the deaths of Ms Hancock and Mr Griffiths.
Mother-of-three Helen Hancock (nee Almey, pictured), 39, was stabbed to death alongside her new partner Martin Griffiths
The police mugshot of Rhys Hancock, 40, which was released after he was jailed for life
Their deaths came a decade after Rachael Slack, 38, and her 23-month-old son Auden were stabbed to death in their home by her ex partner Andrew Cairns in June 2010 – despite Rachael repeatedly telling police she feared for her life.
In the weeks leading up to the murders, golf trainer Cairns, then 44, had been sectioned under the Mental Health Act and arrested for threatening to kill Ms Slack.
He attacked them at their home in Holbrook just five days after being released on bail before killing himself.
An initial report by the Independent Police Complaint Commission (IPCC), which later became the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), said police were not at fault. But a subsequent inquest, serious case review and fresh IPCC investigation said more could have been done.
Ms Slack had been assessed as at high risk of murder, but she had not been informed of the danger she was in or consulted on steps which could have made her safer.
Cairns stabbed Rachael and Auden, before turning the knife on himself
During the horrific assault, Andrew Cairns (pictured) stabbed Rachael and Auden a total of 48 times, before turning the knife on himself
Derbyshire Police’s failures date back to 2004 when Tania Moore, 26, was rammed off a country lane near Alkmonkton in March 2004 and shot in the face by her former boyfriend Mark Dyche, then 36, after she broke off their engagement.
She had repeatedly told police about her fears following a robbery at her stables, stalking and threats to gouge out her eyes and break her legs from the gun fanatic, who had a history of violence.
But an investigation by the police watchdog said that the force’s response was ‘abysmal – no officer took control and no meaningful investigation took place’ and basic lines of inquiry which might have prevented the tragedy had never been pursued.
One police officer was later sacked, another demoted and four others, including a chief inspector, reprimanded. Dyche was jailed for life after being convicted of murder.
Mark Dyche (pictured) was jailed for life after being convicted of murder
MailOnline has contacted Derbyshire Police for comment.
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