Family’s plea for urgent death inquiry
THE family of a woman murdered by her partner following a series of police blunders have urged politicians to help get an inquiry into her death started quickly.
Louise Aitchison, 33, was murdered by Darryl Paterson on April 28, 2020 just after police had been round to intervene when she called them.
The 37-year-old strangled the dental nurse and slashed her throat in a frenzied attack and was jailed for 18 years in January last year.
Police later admitted a number of errors in the weeks before Miss Aitchison’s murder, including failing to inform her of Paterson’s previous domestic abuse convictions.
Her mother, Caroline Lyon, along with her brother Sean Aitchison and sister Stephanie Aitchison met MSPs in the Scottish parliament yesterday as a cross-party group gathered to show their support.
The family is calling for the fatal accident inquiry (FAI) into her death to begin as a matter of urgency. The Crown Office has agreed that the FAI can take place.
Miss Aitchison’s case was also brought up during First Minister’s Questions on the twoyear anniversary of her death.
Nicola Sturgeon said: ‘I hope [an FAI] gives the family answers and comfort.
‘For my part I will continue to ensure the Government acts in all possible ways to do everything it can to protect women from domestic abuse. I do believe that Louise’s family’s bravery and courage at such a sad time – and on such a sad day for them – will help with that. I am sure she would be very proud of her family today.’
Labour MSP Monica Lennon said: ‘I think it’s quite possible that the law needs to be strengthened. Clearly, as a society, we need to do more to eradicate male violence against women.’
Paterson admitted killing Miss Aitchison at the home they shared in East Kilbride.
Despite a recommendation to formally warn Miss Aitchison about his history, she was not told of this.
Police Scotland have apologised to Miss Aitchison’s family.