Police waited outside while woman was beaten to death by abusive partner
Two police officers who waited outside a woman’s home and listened to her being murdered by her abusive partner while waiting for permission from bosses to go inside will face misconduct hearings.
Olobunmi Abodunde, 48, pleaded guilty last year to killing Taiwo Abodunde, 41, who suffered appalling injuries during an attack at their home in Newmarket, Suffolk, in November 2023.
A day earlier, two constables, including a probationer, attended the address following a complaint of domestic abuse and Abodunde was arrested for assault. He was bailed later that evening.
The two officers returned the following day for a pre-arranged meeting with Taiwo so they could take her statement, but they were unable to contact her.
While waiting outside they could hear a disturbance within and spent 35 minutes discussing with their supervisor – an acting police sergeant – whether they had grounds to enter.
By the time they did so, Taiwo was lying dead having been bludgeoned with a skateboard.
Abodunde was jailed for life for her murder in May last year.
Speaking after the case, Taiwo’s sister Owoeye Labake Christianah said their family believed she would still be alive had police gone inside sooner.
She told the BBC: ‘It breaks our hearts that if they had moved in she would have probably survived.
‘We feel let down and unhappy about the whole thing.’
This Is Not Right
On November 25, 2024 Metro launched This Is Not Right, a year-long campaign to address the relentless epidemic of violence against women.
Throughout the year we will be bringing you stories that shine a light on the sheer scale of the epidemic.
With the help of our partners at Women’s Aid, This Is Not Right aims to engage and empower our readers on the issue of violence against women.
You can find more articles here, and if you want to share your story with us, you can send us an email at [email protected].
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She revealed Taiwo had been considering leaving her husband and suggested that may have been Abodunde’s excuse for murdering her.
Ms Christianah said: ‘There has always been several cases of domestic violence while here in Nigeria but when they got the visa to migrate we felt it was going to be a new era.
‘A new environment with laws and order, [they were] supposed to start life afresh. We never knew it would lead to that, such a brutal killing.’
An investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) raised concerns over the officers’ actions.
The constable faces allegations their actions may have amounted to gross incompetence.
This relates to the handling of the initial complaint on November 27.
They face another allegation in relation to delaying entry into Taiwo’s home the following day, despite having concerns for her wellbeing and suspicions that Abodunde was inside.
The officers’ supervisor will also face allegations that their actions may have amounted to gross incompetence for advising the officers not to enter the property, despite being made aware of the officers’ concerns for Taiwo.
It’s also alleged he failed to be diligent in his duties and responsibilities as an acting sergeant regarding his supervision of the case after Abodunde was taken into custody on November 27.
The watchdog said the probationary constable should not face and disciplinary proceedings after they resigned during the investigation.
IOPC director Emily Barry said: ‘Our deepest sympathies remain with the family and friends of Taiwo Abodunde and anyone affected by her tragic and senseless murder.
‘As a result of our investigation into the police contact prior to her death, we have decided that two Suffolk officers should face a gross incompetence meeting in relation to their actions between November 27 and 28.
‘Gross incompetence meetings occur when the evidence indicates that the officer’s failure or inability to perform their duties to the required standard may potentially be so serious that it would justify dismissal.
‘It is not our role to decide if the officers’ actions amount to gross incompetence. That will be for a police performance panel to determine after considering all of the evidence.’
What to do if you’re experiencing domestic abuse
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, you are not alone. And whether you are currently coping with or have made the decision to leave, you do have options.
- If you are thinking about leaving, domestic abuse charity Refuge suggests starting a record of abusive incidents, which might include saving pictures or messages, or making notes of times, dates and details of incidents.
- The next step is to make copies of important documents such as court orders, marriage certificates, National Insurance Numbers and your driving licence.
- In the meantime, identify the safer areas of your home so that you know where to go if your abuser becomes aggravated. Ideally, this should be a room with a phone and a door or window to the outside.
- If you feel ready to leave, start by making a plan for a safe, reliable route out. If you feel safe to do so, pack an emergency bag so that you leave in a hurry if needed.
- You can access a local refuge, either with or without children, for as long as you need to stay. The address is confidential. The National Domestic Abuse Helpline (0808 2000 247) is open 24-hours a day and has all the details of refuges in your area.
- In an emergency situation, ring 999 and ask for the police. If you aren’t able to talk, try the Silent Solution: after dialling 999, listen to the questions from the operator and respond by coughing or tapping your device, if possible. If prompted, press 55 to let the operator know it’s an emergency – you’ll be put through to the police.
Read more here.
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