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A coroner has warned there is a “postcode lottery” for stalking victims looking for a police response, after an inquest into the death of Gracie Spinks.

Ms Spinks, 23, was killed by Michael Sellers, on 18 June two years ago in Duckmanton, Derbyshire.

Sellers, 35, who Ms Spinks reported to the police multiple times, had become “obsessed” with the young woman, and killed himself shortly after killing her.

Matthew Kewley, assistant coroner for Derby and Derbyshire, has now said there was a lack of consistency in police forces’ abilities to investigate stalking reports nationwide.

He added that more needed to be done to improve knowledge around the offence following the death of Ms Spinks.

It came as he addressed a Prevention of Future Deaths report to Derbyshire Constabulary and the home secretary, James Cleverly, which outlined six areas of concern.

In the report, Mr Kewley said: “During the inquest, I heard evidence about the benefits that stalking advocates can provide to those who are victims of stalking.

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“Whilst I was reassured to hear that Derbyshire now benefits from stalking advocates, I heard evidence that many other areas around the UK do not have stalking advocates.

“This essentially creates a postcode lottery for victims who report stalking to the police.

“I am concerned about the lack of consistency and availability of stalking advocates to victims of stalking across the UK.”

BEST QUALITmichael sellarsY AVAILABLE Undated family handout photo of Gracie Spinks, who died aged 23 on June 18 2021. It is believed Ms Spinks was stabbed to death by her former colleague, Michael Sellars, who then took his own life after becoming 'obsessed' with her. Issue date: Monday October 30, 2023.
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Gracie Spinks, 23, was killed by Michael Sellers, on 18 June two years ago in Duckmanton, Derbyshire

Mr Kewley’s report, published on Monday, comes after an inquest heard Derbyshire Police made several errors in its “limited investigation” into the stalking allegation against Sellers.

It heard how Sellers was graded low risk by officers despite behaving inappropriately to eight other women before he was reported by Ms Spinks.

Police also dismissed a bag of weapons – later found to belong to Sellers – that was found near where Ms Spinks was eventually killed a month later.

The force later admitted and apologised for multiple failings. The inquest jury was not asked to decide whether these contributed to Ms Spinks’ death.

Both Derbyshire Constabulary and the Home Office have 56 days to respond, outlining what action has been or will be taken or stating why no action is proposed.

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Richard Spinks and Alison Ward speaking to Sky News about their daughter Gracie
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Richard Spinks and Alison Ward said their daughter was ‘tragically let down’ by Derbyshire Police

In a statement, Ms Spinks’ parents, Richard Spinks and Alison Ward, thanked the coroner for his “comprehensive and insightful” report and said their daughter was “tragically let down”.

They said: “The report is a damning indictment, it details the colossal failures and the many areas of concern that were sadly evident throughout the inquest.

“Even before Gracie’s tragedy the public trust in the police was hanging by a thread, after numerous scandals and systemic failings. Unfortunately, after Gracie’s death, faith in the police has been entirely lost.”

Deputy Chief Constable at Derbyshire Constabulary, Simon Blatchly, said the force will review the recommendations made by the coroner.

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Bank worker and brother who murdered drug dealer in ‘ferocious’ knife attack are jailed

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Bank worker and brother who murdered drug dealer in 'ferocious' knife attack are jailed

A brother and sister have been jailed for the murder of a drug dealer in a “ferocious” knife attack.

Isaiah Marsh, 21, and his 23-year-old sibling Mya Marsh were sentenced to a minimum of 20 years in prison for killing Minister Enfrence, 21, in a row over a £200 cannabis debt.

Bank worker Mya was trying to buy drugs from Mr Enfrence in Kings Norton, Birmingham, when she met him armed with a kitchen knife at about 10am on 5 November, the city’s crown court heard.

Judge Simon Drew KC said that Mya was the aggressor in an initial confrontation with Mr Enfrence over the debt as he sentenced the siblings on Thursday.

Mya called her brother Isaiah to the scene, who “launched a ferocious attack on Minister as he lay defenceless on his back on the floor” and had intended to kill, the judge said.

Mr Enfrence suffered at least 12 stab wounds to his body, arms, hands and head in the “unprovoked” attack.

He did not die instantly and managed to escape before collapsing nearby.

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Judge Drew said footage of the attack, which was caught on CCTV, was “truly sickening” to watch as Mr Enfrence died a “traumatic and painful death”.

Minister Enfrence. Pic: West Midlands Police
Image:
Minister Enfrence was killed on 5 November. Pic: West Midlands Police

Siblings unanimously convicted of murder

The footage shows Mya passing a knife to her brother during the stabbing.

The judge told them: “This was an attack by two people on one. That attack was unprovoked. Members of the public, including a child in a pushchair, passed very close by while the attack was taking place.”

After the killing, Mya went to work “as if nothing had happened” after taking the morning off work, citing mental health problems, the court was told.

Isaiah later handed himself in to the police.

A jury unanimously convicted the siblings of murder on Monday following a three-week trial.

Both had denied murder and alternative charges of manslaughter.

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Isaiah claimed he acted in self-defence, while Mya claimed she did not believe her brother would use the knife to stab Mr Enfrence.

Rachel Brand KC, representing Mya, said the attack was “utterly out of character” for her client and that Mya had shouted “stop it” and “break it up” during her brother and Mr Enfrence’s struggle.

Isaiah, meanwhile, would find it “almost impossible to reconcile what he saw on the CCTV with who he is”, his barrister Michael Ivers KC told the court.

“He has told everyone who will listen when they have spoken to him that he is full of remorse about what happened,” Mr Ivers said.

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Woman’s testimony from beyond the grave helps to convict rapist Steven Connery

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Woman's testimony from beyond the grave helps to convict rapist Steven Connery

A “despicable” rapist has been brought to justice and jailed for 10 years in part thanks to a woman’s testimony from beyond the grave.

Steven Connery, 41, repeatedly raped and sexually assaulted two women in the Forth Valley and Tayside areas.

Judge Douglas Brown said Connery’s first victim was left “so shocked that she couldn’t speak” following a painful attack in a bathroom while she was getting ready for a night out.

A court heard how the second woman was also left in “agony” after a sex assault.

Connery was arrested in 2022 after his past crimes were brought to the attention of Police Scotland.

His second victim died before a trial was held at the High Court in Glasgow, but her evidence was read out in the form of a statement by one of the investigating officers.

Connery denied any wrongdoing but was in March found guilty of four charges.

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He returned to the dock on Wednesday and was handed a 13-year extended sentence, with 10 years in jail and three years on licence once released back into the community.

Judge Brown said: “It is almost inevitable that offences of this nature will cause substantial harm and in relation to the second complainer, who has since died, it is clear from a victim impact statement submitted by her sister that your behaviour had a massive impact not only on her but also on her family.”

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It was noted that Connery was “still reasonably young” at the time of some of his offending, but the judge added: “Though there is little to indicate that a lack of maturity was a significant factor.”

Connery was additionally placed on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely and banned from contacting the woman who is still alive.

Detective Sergeant Khalid Abdulrahman said: “Although one of Connery’s victims passed away, it was right that her evidence was heard in court through the reading of statements.

“I hope this sentencing brings some comfort to both her family and the other victim in this case.

“Our thoughts remain with them, as without their information Connery wouldn’t have been held accountable for his despicable actions.”

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Police hunt for teenagers seen ‘carrying dismembered kittens in duffel bag’

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Police hunt for teenagers seen 'carrying dismembered kittens in duffel bag'

Police investigating the torture and killing of a pair of kittens in west London have published CCTV pictures of two teenagers they want to speak to.

Warning: This article contains details some readers may find distressing

The Metropolitan Police were tipped off on 3 May that two teenagers had allegedly dismembered the animals at Ickenham Road, Ruislip.

No arrests have been made.

Officers released footage of a boy and a girl on Thursday and asked people to help identify them.

The boy is described by the Met as 5ft 6in (168cm) tall, with short dark hair. He was wearing a dark jacket with long sleeves, with blue jeans.

Police sergeant Babs Rock said the boy “was also seen carrying a black duffel bag, which sadly is thought to have contained the kittens”.

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BEST QUALITY AVAILABLE Screen grab taken from CCTV dated 03/05/25 issued by Metropolitan Police of CCTV of two teenagers they want to speak to after two kittens were tortured and killed in Ruislip. The Metropolitan Police received a report on May 3 that alleged two teenagers dismembered the animals in Ickenham Road, Ruislip. Issue date: Thursday May 15, 2025.
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The two youths. Pic: Metropolitan Police/PA

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Sergeant Rock said the young girl was the same height as the boy, with long red hair.

“She was wearing a white top with black shorts. She was also carrying a purple jumper, which she later puts on to wear,” she said.

“If you know these two individuals then please come forward to us, we would like to speak with them as soon as possible.”

In the video, the pair are seen walking down a street and then later running back the way they came.

Sergeant Rock described it as “an incredibly distressing incident which I know has caused concern in the local community”.

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