Deaths by homicide following state failings
We have experience acting for families whose loved ones were killed by someone known by state agencies to pose a risk to others, including dangerous offenders released from prison and subject to probation at the time of the death.
The inquest process can explore what was known about the risk posed by those individuals, who was responsible for managing that risk, and whether there were failures which caused or contributed to the death of your loved one. This includes attacks against the general public as well as attacks against specific individuals, such as domestic homicides.
Often the inquest will explore the role of state agencies, including the prison and probation service.
Concerns are usually first identified in an independent report conducted by an agency or organisation, which highlights failures by the state to protect the general public or specific individuals from the risk posed by the perpetrator. These investigations often coincide with criminal proceedings, where the perpetrator has been convicted of murder or manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility.
Benjamin Burrows, Partner in the Human Rights department, specialises in inquests and claims against public authorities including the prison and probation service. Benjamin is assisted by Ellie Sutherland, Associate in the Human Rights department, in several inquests involving failures in managing ex-offenders who were known to pose a risk to others. These cases raise similar issues as those arising out of the tragic Nottingham Stabbings and Southport attack, in which the team have considerable expertise.
Examples of recent cases:
Inquest into the deaths of James Furlong, Dr David Wails and Joseph Ritchie-Bennett following a terror attack in Forbury Gardens
Benjamin recently represented the families of the victims of the Forbury Gardens terror attack in the Judge-led inquest into the deaths, which investigated the role of multiple state agencies, including the prison and probation service who had been supervising the perpetrator at the time of the attack. More information about the case can be found here.
Inquest into the death of Marta Elena Vento
We represent the family of Marta, a Spanish national, who was tragically killed while working as a hotel receptionist in Bournemouth Travelodge on 9 December 2020. Marta’s killer, a guest at the hotel, had recently been released from prison and whilst in custody had presented with severe psychosis. The six-week inquest into Marta’s death took place in early 2025 after which the Senior Coroner concluded that Marta’s death was a result of systemic failings by the prison healthcare provider and the police. More information about the case can be found here.
Inquest into the death of Ashley Walsh
We represent the family of Ashley who was brutally murdered on 7 January 2022. The two individuals convicted of his murder were both under probation supervision at the time of Ashley’s death, following their release from prison custody after being sentenced as co-defendants to a violent burglary. The inquest into Ashley’s death took place in March 2025 and found failures by the probation service and the police. More information about the case can be found here.
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News and blogs
Inquest reveals multiple failings by police and probation service prior to Ashley Walsh’s killing
An inquest into the death of 34-year-old Ashley Walsh heard the police failed to follow up on one of his killers in breach of his licence, just weeks before Ashley’s murder.
Marta Elena Vento’s killing at Bournemouth Travelodge would have been avoided but for systemic failings by police and prison health provider, says coroner
The killing of 27-year-old Spanish national Marta Elena Vento at a Bournemouth Travelodge on 9 December 2020 was avoidable and happened after systemic failings by police and prison health provider, a coroner has concluded.
Forbury Gardens terror attack victims’ families call for urgent change after Judge Coroner says state agencies could have prevented deaths
The families of three men murdered in a terror attack at Forbury Gardens in Reading in June 2020 have called for urgent change after a Judge Coroner concluded that state agencies could have prevented their deaths.
Calocane and Saadallah cases expose vulnerability in NHS mental health services
The Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, has commented that the deaths of Ian Coates, Barnaby Webber, and Grace O’Malley-Kumar, who were murdered by Valdo Calocane on 13 June 2023, could have been prevented with better mental health care, saying “Nottingham attack victims may still be alive if the NHS had been there when it should have been”.