22 Jul Press Release – Outcome of the Inquest into the death of Regan Tierney

The Bolton Area Coroner sitting with a Jury has returned a verdict of unlawful killing following the murder of Regan Tierney on the 5^th June 2019 by her former partner Daniel Patten.

The jury, having heard evidence from officers of Greater Manchester Police, gave a narrative verdict and made critical findings of officers which included that:

1. Insuffient support and protection was given by State Agencies to Regan.
2. There was missed opportunities to provide support and protection to Regan
3. The DASH risk assessment was inaccurate and the assessment of risk was inaccurate.
4. Various alternative forms of protection should have been offered to Regan including a non-molestation order and referral to a multi-agency body which she possibly would have accepted; and
5. This possibly may have prevented her death.

Regan and Patten had been in a long term relationship of over ten years and had two children.  Patten had subjected Regan to serious domestic violence from when she was 17 years old.  This included strangulation, physical abuse causing a broken nose, threats to kill and throw acid in her face.  Patten had also threatened to kill Regan’s sister, her partner Alan and their young daughter.

Regan and her father David on the 25th May 2019 made repeated calls to GMP for urgent help.  They said Regan was petrified of Patten who had threatened to kill her and her new partner.  She wanted an injunction to protect her from Patten.  She wanted officers to come out immediately to see her as he was scared of what Patten would do to her.

It was not until three days later, on the 28^th May 2019 that two police officers attended on Regan.  She told them she wanted the abuse to stop and she wanted to know her options.  The two officers took wholly inadequate notes of what Regan told them before returning to the police station to complete a Domestic Abuse, Stalking, Harassment and Honour Based Violence (DASH) Risk Assessment.  Regan’s risk of further domestic violence from Patten was assessed at the lowest possible level: standard risk.

Greater Manchester Police has accepted that the DASH risk assessment was incorrectly completed and the level of risk was wrong.  It should have been medium or possibly high risk.

Greater Manchester Police offered no safeguard advice to Regan or alternatives to arresting Patten such as issuing a Domestic Violence Prevention Notice.

Patten murdered Regan 8 days later by stabbing her.

Shannon, Regan’s sister says:

“The family have waited such a long time for justice and for the inquest to be held into the death of Regan.  I am horrified and so disappointed by the police who failed to protect my sister when she cried out for help.  She was under so much pressure to protect herself from further abuse whilst wanting the children to have access to their father. I hope that no other family has to suffer the way we have and how officers deal with domestic violence improves”.

Matthew Gold, solicitor for the family has said:

“The Tierney family has suffered a terrible injustice.  When Regan sought help and protection from Greater Manchester Police, they failed her.  They failed to risk assess, offer any safeguarding advice and to hold Patten to account.  Regan’s murder followed other critical incidents involving GMP where they failed to protect victims of domestic violence. Police Forces are the front-line public agencies where victims go for help and protection and have a duty to take positive action.  If they fail, victims will suffer and in the worst cases will lose their lives.  Effective policing of domestic violence and coercive controlling behaviour must improve if we are going to protect victims from the scourge of controlling and violent men.”

For further information or comment contact Matthew Gold on 0778 696 8602 or matthew@goldjennings.co.uk