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20/02/2009
Murder Victim Made 'Repeat Allegations'
A woman who was found murdered had made "repeat allegations" about a man police believed killed her, it has emerged.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has confirmed it launched an investigation into the actions of West Midlands Police before the death of Clare Wood, 36, who was killed in Blackfriars, Salford.
Ms Wood was found murdered at her home on Friday 6 February 2009. Her body was discovered burnt and strangled.
The 36-year-old had contacted police three times about her former boyfriend, George Appleton, 40, including claims he sexually assaulted her.
Police believe the 40-year-old - who was found hanging in a derelict building in Blackfriars six days after Ms Wood was killed - was the only suspect in her murder.
The IPCC also said Mr Appleton had been known to other police forces.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) made a referral to the IPCC on 9 February 2009 as Ms Wood had made previous complaints about Appleton.
On 7 October 2008 she alleged that he had threatened her and had damaged her property, and on 18 January 2009 she alleged that Appleton had sexually assaulted her. On 22 January 2009 Ms Wood alleged that Appleton had breached bail conditions by attempting to contact her
Ms Naseem Malik, IPCC Commissioner for the North West, said: "It is evident that Ms Wood was a vulnerable person who had made repeated allegations about Appleton's behaviour towards her. Her murder was absolutely shocking and my sympathies go out to Ms Wood's family and friends.
"Our investigation will examine how Greater Manchester Police dealt with these allegations and whether anything more could, or should, have been done that may have averted the tragic outcome."
Ms Malik added: "We are aware that other women have come forward via the media to make allegations about Appleton and the fact that concerns had been raised about him with police forces before. Our investigation is currently focussed on Greater Manchester Police’s contact with Ms Wood, but there remains the possibility for our investigation to expand further."
(JM/BMcC)
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has confirmed it launched an investigation into the actions of West Midlands Police before the death of Clare Wood, 36, who was killed in Blackfriars, Salford.
Ms Wood was found murdered at her home on Friday 6 February 2009. Her body was discovered burnt and strangled.
The 36-year-old had contacted police three times about her former boyfriend, George Appleton, 40, including claims he sexually assaulted her.
Police believe the 40-year-old - who was found hanging in a derelict building in Blackfriars six days after Ms Wood was killed - was the only suspect in her murder.
The IPCC also said Mr Appleton had been known to other police forces.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) made a referral to the IPCC on 9 February 2009 as Ms Wood had made previous complaints about Appleton.
On 7 October 2008 she alleged that he had threatened her and had damaged her property, and on 18 January 2009 she alleged that Appleton had sexually assaulted her. On 22 January 2009 Ms Wood alleged that Appleton had breached bail conditions by attempting to contact her
Ms Naseem Malik, IPCC Commissioner for the North West, said: "It is evident that Ms Wood was a vulnerable person who had made repeated allegations about Appleton's behaviour towards her. Her murder was absolutely shocking and my sympathies go out to Ms Wood's family and friends.
"Our investigation will examine how Greater Manchester Police dealt with these allegations and whether anything more could, or should, have been done that may have averted the tragic outcome."
Ms Malik added: "We are aware that other women have come forward via the media to make allegations about Appleton and the fact that concerns had been raised about him with police forces before. Our investigation is currently focussed on Greater Manchester Police’s contact with Ms Wood, but there remains the possibility for our investigation to expand further."
(JM/BMcC)
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