Review says Angela Wrightson's death could not have been prevented

Three reports have been released into the death of Angela Wrightson in Hartlepool.

Reports concluded the murder could not have been prevented but that a series of opportunities were missed to protect the vulnerable 39 year old, who was later murdered by two teenage girls in her own home.

The review found the two girls aged just 13 and 14 who murdered her in her lounge were already known to social services for running away, drinking and being sexually active.

Angela Wrightson, was subjected to a horrific beating in Hartlepool and was attacked with a shovel, a TV, a coffee table and a stick studded with screws.

When they were being taken home in the middle of the night by police, who were then unaware of the murder, the girls posed for a Snapchat picture in the back of the van.

The teenagers received life sentences and will serve a minimum of 15 years behind bars following a trial in April last year at Leeds Crown Court.

Hartlepool Local Safeguarding Children Board and the Teeswide Safeguarding Adults Board carried out reviews into what happened.

Reports concluded the murder could not have been prevented and that all parties, including Ms Wrightson who was known locally as Alco Ange, had received a high level of intervention from social services.

The older girl, referred in reports by the pseudonym Olivia, had a chaotic home life and was placed into care.

Aged 12, she told care professionals her father had, wrongly, told her her mother was dead.

As far back as August 2012, while she was living with her mother, a social worker found the parent in a distressed state, claiming Olivia was drinking, going to parties, possibly having sexual intercourse and hitting'' younger siblings.

Two months before the murder, when the older killer was living in a care home, she was arrested for assaulting three members of staff and causing damage to the premises.

The report stated: Olivia was reported missing to the police on a number of occasions, and she was brought home.

The police were frustrated that she would often just leave the home again immediately.''

The younger girl, named Yasmine in the reports, had been put in foster care after her parents complained of being unable to cope.

The report stated there were concerns about her bullying at school, and aggression towards her parents.

She was known to drink alcohol and use drugs, and there were escalating concerns regarding possible underage sexual activity.

Services and support were provided, but neither the parents nor Yasmine engaged and the circumstances deteriorated.''

The reports into both teenagers found parents were quick to criticise their daughters' behaviour, but unwilling to accept help to address it and to improve their parenting.

The report into the younger girl stated: They blamed Yasmine for their inability to be warm and caring to her.''

And the report into the older girl said: When the reviewer visited Olivia in prison, she expressed her feelings that she had always been held responsible for the family problems, both by her parents and, she felt, by professionals.''

Dave Pickard, chair of Hartlepool LSCB, said:

*Neither young person had a criminal history and no history of any significant assaults on any other individuals.***Neither young person had a criminal history and no history of any significant assaults on any other individuals.**

*Their behaviour was troublesome and anti-social before the night in question, but there was no suggestion whatsoever of any serious violence: it was a total shock to everyone.''***Their behaviour was troublesome and anti-social before the night in question, but there was no suggestion whatsoever of any serious violence: it was a total shock to everyone.''**

Miss Wrightson, who was 5ft 4in and weighed six-and-a-half stone, was found dead in her blood-spattered living room in December 2014 after a five-hour long ordeal.

A selfie posted to Snapchat showed the defendants smiling with Miss Wrightson pictured in the background shortly before her death, with further selfies showing the girls drinking cider from a bottle.

After the attack, the girls rang the police to take them home and they took a photo which they posted online with the message: Me and (older girl) in the back, on the bizzie van again.''