'Police failings' contributed to Derbyshire mother and son deaths

An inquest jury has found police failings contributed in part to the deaths of a pregnant woman and her young son killed in their own home by her ex-partner.

Derbyshire Police failed to properly impart to 38-year-old Rachael Slack, who was found dead alongside her 23-month-old son Auden at their Derbyshire home in 2010, that they were both at high risk of homicide.

They were stabbed to death by 44-year-old Andrew Cairns, Ms Slack's former partner and Auden's father, who had a history of mental health issues.

Following a six-week inquest at Derby and South Derbyshire Coroner's Court, verdicts of unlawful killing were returned in respect of Ms Slack and Auden.

Andrew Cairns was found to have taken his own life.

Ms Slack's family say they hope "lessons are learned" to protect the lives of other women and children threatened by domestic violence.