Terrified Scot’s 999 call after violent ex who killed her freed
A DESPERATE 999 call made by a Scots hairdresser after she realised her violent ex-boyfriend had been freed from custody was read out at the inquest into her death yesterday.
Katrina O’Hara told officers she had learned that Stuart Thomas was back on the streets and warned them: ‘I’m now fearing for my life.’
She had to make the call on her daughter-in-law’s phone as police had seized her mobile for evidence.
The transcript of the chilling call that was made six days before Thomas stabbed her to death was read to Dorset Assistant Coroner Brendan Allen. He was jailed for life in August 2016 for murder, with a minimum of 26 years.
Thomas was found to be ‘plausible’ by police officers after he had been arrested for threatening to kill Miss O’Hara. A detective recommended Thomas, now 53, be released on bail but was accused of failing to inform his 44-year-old victim of the news.
Instead she was forced to call the police after Thomas had tried to indirectly contact her to get her to drop the charges against him.
In the call, Miss O’Hara said: ‘I am calling on my daughter-inlaw’s phone as the police have got my phone. I gave a statement 48 hours ago and was told I’d be informed if the person who was arrested was released and I’ve not heard anything and I don’t know if it is safe to go home.
‘I’m getting messages from the person who was arrested. This guy is blaming me for what he has done and I’m fearing for my life.’
Thomas had threatened to kill Miss O’Hara by crashing their car into a tree during a terrifying drive on Boxing Day 2015.
Miss O’Hara, originally from Bathgate, West Lothian, made a complaint on December 29 and Thomas was arrested the following day.
The inquest heard from Detective Constable Ian Davies, who interviewed Thomas before he was released on bail.
He said he did not express any concerns about releasing Thomas. He added: ‘He came across as very plausible and very polite. He did make a comment in relation to the threats to kill I interviewed him on and he said he had not said what Katrina O’Hara said he said. He had said he felt like driving into the tree and killing himself.’
Thomas was released on December 30 with conditions that he should not contact Miss O’Hara directly or indirectly.
Mr Davies said he called Miss O’Hara’s home phone number that night to keep her abreast of the case, but got no answer.
He said he spoke to Miss O’Hara on January 1 to give her an update on the case after she had rung the police contact centre.
Assistant Coroner Brendan Allen asked Mr Davies if Miss O’Hara had told him during this conversation that she had been contacted by Thomas. The officer replied: ‘I don’t recall that.’
Miss O’Hara lived in Okeford Fitzpaine, Dorset.
She was murdered by Thomas at the barber shop where she worked on January 7, 2016.
The inquest in Bournemouth continues.
‘Don’t know if it is safe to go home’