Rochdale woman's death ruled 'accidental'

A woman who fell from the roof of a car park after learning that a man accused of raping her had been acquitted died as the result of an accident, a coroner has concluded.

Although state agencies including the police, council, social and health services were found to have shown gross and significant failings'' in the lead-up to Tracy Shelvey's death in Rochdale, they “did not more than minimally contribute'' to her death, the coroner found.

The 41-year-old mother-of-one died on February 3 2014 after plunging from the Wheatsheaf Shopping Centre in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, three days after she was told that Patrick Hall had been cleared of raping her and other women.

The inquest heard that vulnerable Ms Shelvey had given evidence at two trials in Manchester.

But following a retrial, the accused was cleared.

The three-week inquest held at Oldham County Court heard that Ms Shelvey, of Rochdale, had been visited by officers from Greater Manchester Police on the afternoon of January 31 2014 to deliver the news of the acquittal - but had not been made aware of any bespoke support plan for her, which the coroner said had been "silent''.

Coroner Simon Nelson said that the possibility of an acquittal had not been broached adequately or at all with Ms Shelvey - arguably understandably in view of Ms Shelvey's unpredictable behaviour, but nevertheless inexcusable. It was the elephant in the room.''

The inquest was told that it was Ms Shelvey who had raised the subject of the trial before the two officers.

He added: “Senior officers should have ensured that a bespoke plan was in place before the conclusion of the trial which would take account of Ms

Shelvey's known vulnerabilities. This was a significant and gross failure.''

Later that evening an “enraged'' Ms Shelvey made two phone calls to emergency services referencing self-harm.

After the second call, the urgency of the situation was appreciated and GMP officers were deployed to see her, after she had been made the subject of a high-risk missing person probe.

But on their arrival and along with a paramedic she was assessed and not deemed to be a risk to either herself or others, stating that she wasn't “going to do anything stupid''.

The inquest heard that Ms Shelvey had reported the alleged rape in 2011, but a decision by police was made for no further action to be taken. However Ms Shelvey was never given an explanation as to why.

But in 2012 the case was reopened after Mr Hall was charged with raping another woman and remanded into custody.

As a result, officers were directed to re-investigate other reports of sexual assaults allegedly committed by Mr Hall, and Ms Shelvey and several other women were contacted.

The inquest heard that Ms Shelvey, who had drink and drug problems and had been referred to the community alcohol and drug team, had taken to the shopping centre roof in “a public protest'' after learning of the news.

She had sat on a pillar at the highest point of the car park when the conduit

in which her foot was resting on gave way, and she fell to the ground.

Returning a conclusion of accidental death, coroner Simon Nelson said: “Miss Shelvey entered the car park at Wheatsheaf Shopping Centre in Rochdale with the intention of making a public protest in respect of the outcome of the rape prosecution and more likely than not in the totality of her actions that day, to take her own life.''

But Mr Nelson said that both photographic and CCTV evidence had "cast doubt on what was initially her presumed intention''.

Assistant Chief Constable Robert Potts said: We accept the findings and the verdict of the coroner and we will be reviewing our victim support strategies and process of partner referrals. "Breaking the news of an acquittal to any victim of crime is difficult and every victim reacts to the news differently, so there is no universal way to do this. "The officers told Tracy in a way they thought best, based on their professional judgment and knowledge of her.'' He added that the force would continue to work with partners at Rochdale Council to ensure that the lessons learned from this case have been acted upon.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission issued a statement noting:

The IPCC has found evidence that a phone call to GMP, by Ms Shelvey, on 31 January 2014 was poorly handled and assessed, resulting in no officers being sent to check on her welfare. Ms Shelvey called again on the same day, and this was handled appropriately, resulting in officers being sent to locate her.

The IPCC recommends supplementary training for a police staff member and an acting sergeant at GMP.

Further evidence showed that only a generic victim support strategy was devised for Tracy Shelvey, despite having been identified as a vulnerable adult. However, the officer assigned to support Ms Shelvey – during criminal proceedings in which she was a witness – used their experience to cater the strategy to try to meet her specific needs.

With regard to the day of Ms Shelvey’s death, the IPCC found GMP had managed the incident effectively. Officers and trained negotiators deployed to the Wheatsheaf Shopping Centre took appropriate measures to establish contact with her. The investigator found no evidence to suggest the force could have done anything more to prevent the death of Tracy Shelvey on 3 February 2014.

The IPCC recommends three GMP officers be commended for their professionalism in attempting to assist Ms Shelvey on the day of her death.

A Spokesperson for the Independent Police Complaints Commission said: “The IPCC investigation and the conclusion of the inquest highlight the tragic circumstances leading up to Tracy Shelvey’s death. Our thoughts are with Ms Shelvey’s family and friends.

“It is clear from this investigation that Ms Shelvey was known to Greater Manchester Police as a vulnerable person, and efforts had been made to understand her needs and provide assistance to her when required.”

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