A former specialist PSNI Domestic Violence Officer has welcomed a decision by Minister for Justice Naomi Long to conduct an in-depth review killer Jonathan Creswell.
The review will look into how Creswell managed to avoid Public Protection Arrangements for so long, returning to his life “unfettered” following his release from prison for brutally attacking his previous partner on multiple occasions.
Nuala Lappin who is now a Domestic Violence Awareness Consultant was responding after and Policing Board Member Nuala McAllister MLA asked if the Minister could commission a Serious Case Review (SCR) under the Public Protection Arrangements for Northern Ireland (PPANI) to consider the potential referral failures around Creswell.
In response Minister Long said: “PPANI bring agencies together to assess and manage the risk posed by certain sexual and violent offenders.
“PPANI must operate in line with statutory guidance which makes provision for SCR where someone who is being managed through the public protection arrangements is charged with a further serious sexual or violent offence, or there has been a significant failure in how they were managed.
“As Creswell was not being managed under PPANI at the time of Katie Simpson’s murder, such a review would be speculative and beyond the scope of a meaningful SCR.
“However, I recognise that there may have been points at which Creswell could have been referred into PPANI for management under those arrangements.
“It is vital that we fully understand the circumstances and take account of any learning around the management of serious offenders. I have therefore commissioned the independent Lay Advisers, who are appointed by statute to oversee and monitor PPANI, to review the general robustness and operation of the referral process.
The Minister concluded: “I am also committed to a specific review of the Creswell case intended to establish when he came into contact with any PPANI agencies; if there were opportunities to refer him and to identify learning. The review will also consider those points which have been raised in correspondence to my Department and to the PPANI co-ordinator.
“The full terms of reference are being finalised and it is my intention to appoint an independent reviewer to undertake this work.”
Ms McAllister said she is glad to see the urgent need to review potential failures case, stating: “I have been consistently clear the serious failings in relation to Creswell must be uncovered and so I welcome this confirmation from the Justice Minister. I am glad the urgent need to review potential failures was taken seriously.
“Creswell had a violent history and a criminal record which reflected this. I have seen evidence which shows opportunities were missed from the PSNI, particularly around an additional victim prior to Katie’s murder, where PPANI arrangements should have been in place to manage this violent offender.
“I will continue to use my position on the Policing Board to seek clarity and accountability for these failings on behalf of Katie Simpson, and all victims of violence against women and girls.”
Welcoming the review announcement and commending Ms McAllister for seeking the information, Ms Lappin said: “Creswell was a very skilled manipulator – a key component within the scourge of domestic abuse. He was also an extremely dangerous individual who appeared to enjoy instilling fear in others while carrying out a reign of terror and control. Katie’s appalling murder demonstrated that fully, as did his ability to calmly carrying on in the aftermath, dictating the narrative.”
Ms Lappin added: “After Creswell was convicted of the shocking abuse of Abi Lyle, he resumed his life unfettered, ably shielded by many in the equestrian industry and beyond. It was never a secret despite many claiming they knew nothing about it or others insisting it was all lies. The more Creswell got away with abuse, the more emboldened he became. He had a continuous ability to avoid scrutiny, even boasting about his convictions like it was a badge of honour.”
However in conclusion, Ms Lappin sought assurance the review will include the PSNI, given their role within PPANI as: “Creswell was sought for an exposure incident in 2016 and fled over the Border, but it has since been confirmed he was moving back and forth without difficulty.
“The victim of that case warned police he was dangerous and while there was an alert for him on the systems it had disappeared, along with his violence convictions when concerns were being raised about Katie. That is completely unacceptable and must be addressed.”
