Police face watchdog probe over tragic Gaia
THE police response to teenager Gaia Pope’s rape allegation before her death last year is to be probed by the official watchdog.
The 19-year-old was found dead on a clifftop last November after going missing from home 11 days earlier.
Her family said she developed symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder after Dorset Police took no further action after an allegation of rape in December 2015.
Friends said Gaia was fearful her alleged attacker, Connor Hayes, 24, would soon be freed from prison for filming sex with another teenager. Catrin Evans, Independent Office for Police Conduct director with responsibility for Dorset Police, said: ‘Following family complaints, we will investigate if the police response was in accordance with local and national policies.’
Miss Pope’s mother, Natasha Pope, said: ‘There’s no doubt in my mind: this is what drove Gaia up the hill.’ Gaia’s cousin claimed police advised her not to take her complaint further.