A woman who was ordered to swallow her wedding ring before being beaten to death by her jealous husband was failed by police, an inquest has ruled. A three-week inquest into the death of Lucy-Anne Rushton heard that both Dorset Police and Hampshire Constabulary missed opportunities to save the mum of five, before she was murdered by Shaun Dyson on June 23, 2019.
Dyson murdered Ms Rushtom by kicking, punching and stamping on her, leaving her with 37 rib fractures, a broken breastbone and collapsed lungs. An inquest heard that Ms Rushton's brother had gone to police in the month prior to the murder - to report Dyson for taking photos of himself sexually abusing Ms Rushton on her 30th birthday.
Officers were also called a year before following an altercation between the pair at a Bournemouth hotel, where Dyson was overheard calling the mum a "drunken slut" during an altercation. During their stay, Ms Rushton was seen by a guest in the corridor with her face and hands covered in blood and notified security.
The inquest was being heard by a jury, who today recorded a unanimous narrative conclusion highlighting the failings in the lead up to Ms Rushton's unlawful killing. The jury chair read: "The relationship between both parties was abusive and violent, the relationship made a material impact on her death.
"In 2018 they were staying at a hotel in Bournemouth, a 999 call was made, police responded and when questioned by police [Ms Rushton] denied any altercation. CCTV evidence showed a physical confrontation, this was not secured by police, a public protection notice issued by the police was submitted three weeks after.
