Failed and failed and failed. again, again and again
In 2019, Louise Aitchison, 33, is moved from her home in East Kilbride, after being terrorised by stalker, to a flat in Park Avenue, where she is supposed to be given special attention as a vulnerable victim and witness. Within weeks, she is targeted by repeat domestic abuser Darryl Paterson. What follows is a litany of error and official failure leading to her murder.
On March 24, 2020, police go to Louise Aitchison’s flat. An officer, aware of Paterson’s history, is concerned she may be at risk and makes a formal application for a disclosure order allowing her to be told.
An inquiry officer and a detective inspector assess the risk as low before failing to log the application on the DSDAS database, in breach of guidelines.
More than two weeks later, on April 9, a formal decision to warn her about Paterson’s past is taken and a “concern report” is added to the police database. However, officers fail to add Louise’s current mobile phone number and address. It also fails to log an incident number.
Guidance demands disclosure warnings are delivered within 10 days of the decision and the system fails to flag up overdue notices.
On April 23, 14 days after the decision, and under new pandemic procedures, an officer tries to make initial contact with Ms Aitchison by phone to arrange an appointment but her number is not on file.
At 10.45pm on April 28, Ms Aitchison calls 999 to her flat because Paterson is refusing to leave. He is allowed to leave but returns within the hour and murders her.
Over the next two days, Paterson tries to give himself up after going on a drink and drugs binge. Finding East Kilbride police station closed, he calls 999, claiming he plans to cut his wrists and tells officers he has done a “bad thing”. He is not arrested but taken to hospital and later released.
Officers fail to check Ms Aitchison’s flat for hours and then do not to force the door. Her body will not be found for two days, after they apparently fail to check Paterson’s background or notice the reported concerns for her safety.
The Police Investigations and Review Commissioner later says failing to issue the warning may have cost Ms Aitchison her life. Police Scotland admit it may have allowed her to make a “more fully rounded decision about her safety”.
The force says systems have been changed and training improved but it is not thought disciplinary proceedings have been taken against any officer.