POLICE have issued contact numbers that victims of domestic abuse after a man was jailed for the "brutal" murder of his former paertner.
Robert Massey, from Haydock, was jailed last Thursday for life to serve a minimum of 28 years for the murder of his girlfriend and the attempted murder of two men.
READ > Full court report: Man jailed for murder of partner
Police were called to a property on Piele Road, Haydock on the morning of Wednesday, August 31, this year to a report of a concern for safety of 49-year-old Jacqueline Forest.
Paramedics attended but Ms Forest was sadly confirmed dead at the scene. The cause of death was given as blunt force trauma to the head and manual asphyxiation by strangulation or suffocation.
A man in his 30s was also found close to the scene with injuries that were not life threatening.
Massey, 43, of Piele Road, pleaded guilty to murdering Ms Forrest, and was sentenced to a minimum of 28 years in prison at Liverpool Crown Court today.
He also pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of two men, Anthony Murphy and Graham Roberts.
Detective Chief Inspector Allison Woods said: “This was a truly shocking and brutal assault which led to the tragic death of Jacqueline Forest in her own home.
“Nobody can begin to understand the impact the circumstances and fact of her sudden death has had on her family and friends.
“Nothing can bring Jacqueline back but I hope that the prison sentence Massey must now serve will give them a sense of justice and allow them to finally move on with their lives."
She called on awareness to be raised over the "complex issue" of domestic violence.
Det Ch Insp Woods added: “Merseyside Police continues to do everything it can to tackle all violence against women and girls and we will do everything in our power to support victims, target perpetrators and reduce violence by ensuring victims of domestic abuse feel believed and supported when they report offending to us.
“Domestic abuse is a complex issue and can take many forms. It can be psychological, financial, sexual, emotional and physical and we want to raise awareness of the support that is available to anyone who is or has experienced domestic abuse or has been affected by it so that nobody else has to suffer or silence or go through what they have been through.
“We work closely with local domestic support organisations, local authorities, safeguarding teams and charities to ensure that services and ongoing support are available, including access to refuges.
“We have a number of specialist departments within the police to investigate these crimes but it’s important that we all work together to support survivors and collectively work to prevent these crimes occurring in the first place by raising awareness.”
Police have listed a number of ways people can report domestic violence:
- Call - If you are in immediate danger, always call 999. If you ring 999 and are not in a safe position to speak to us then cough, or tap, the phone and press 55, when prompted. This will alert the operator that you need assistance and we will provide support.
- Online – You can report online domestic abuse to us online Report domestic abuse | Merseyside Police and someone will get back to you, via your specified method, within 24 hours.
- All reports are treated seriously, they will be investigated sensitively and we will work with our partners to offer support and keep victims safe. We understand that every domestic incident is unique and we will do everything we can to ensure perpetrators are brought to justice, so the victims of this terrible and under-reported crime are protected and their needs are put first.
- Merseyside Police also appeal to families and friends to keep an eye out for signs that someone may be a victim of domestic abuse. Sometimes victims are unable to contact the police, which is why it’s so important the people around them who suspect something is going can do it on their behalf.
- If you have any non-urgent information on domestic abuse – if you are a victim or believe someone you know is a victim - you can contact direct message @MerPolCC on Twitter, ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ on Facebook or contact @CrimestoppersUK, anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Police added that further support can also be found at these local and national agencies:
- ‘Safe2Speak, offers immediate support and free confidential, supportive and non-judgemental advice to any resident of St Helens, regardless of race, gender, identity, religion, beliefs or sexual orientation.
- Contact details 01744 743200 (8am – 5pm), 24hr free helpline 01925 – 220 541, textline 07781 472828 (Mon – Fri 9 – 5pm). www.safe2speak.co.uk
- Women’s Aid | womensaid.org.uk | 0808 200 0247 (24 hours)
- https://www.womensaid.org.uk/information-support/
- Refuge (includes information for men) | refuge.org.uk | 0808 200 0247 (24 hours)
- National Domestic Violence helpline on 0808 200 0247 (24 hours)
- The Police and Crime Commissioner’s Victim Care Merseyside service delivered jointly by two registered charities: Home: Victim Care Merseyside
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article