Report finds 'shortcomings' over wife murder

  • Wales
Caroline Parry was murdered by her estranged husband outside her home in Newport last year Credit: Family photo

An independent report has 'shortcomings' in the way Gwent Police dealt with a woman who was shot by her estranged husband.

Caroline Parry was shot at close range by her husband, Christopher Parry, outside her home in Seabreeze Avenue, Newport, last year. Christopher Parry has been sentenced to 26 years in prison.

A report by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) found that Ms. Parry had contacted Gwent Police twice in the months leading up to her death asking for help, and raising concerns about Christopher Parry's behaviour.

The report has found 'weaknesses and shortcomings' in how the force handled the case.

The report found:

  • officers who responded to incidents involving the couple were not in possession of all relevant information about their past history. A risk assessment should have classified Caroline Parry as being at high risk of serious harm

  • more consideration should have been given to Christopher Parry’s coercive and controlling behaviour

  • while Mr Parry had held his firearms certificate legally for some years, the number of troubling indicators about his behaviour, together with the incidents in May 2013, should have prompted a firearms licensing referral. This would have triggered suitability checks.

It concludes that improvements need to be made to the way the force handles stalking and harassment cases.

All Wales Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Helpline: 0808 80 10 800