Home UK Inquiry after girl stabbed to death by ex-boyfriend despite telling police he...

Inquiry after girl stabbed to death by ex-boyfriend despite telling police he stalked her

558
0

author image

An independent review will scrutinise police after a student was murdered by her ex-boyfriend despite her telling officers he was a stalker.

Molly McLaren, 23, had grown increasingly concerned about Joshua Stimpson, who followed her and posted messages online after their break-up.

The sports student was repeatedly stabbed in the head and neck at least 75 times in a frenzied attack by obsessed Stimpson, 27, in a gym car park in Chatham, Kent, two weeks after they split.

Inquiry after girl stabbed to death by ex-boyfriend despite telling police he stalked her

Molly McLaren was repeatedly stabbed in the head and neck at least 75 times in a frenzied attack by obsessed Stimpson in a gym car park in Chatham, Kent (Picture: SWNS)

Kent Police referred the case to the Independent Office for Police Conduct earlier this month after it emerged Molly had contacted them with concerns for her safety.

The results of the independent inquiry are due at the end of the year and will highlight lessons to be learned by Kent Police.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Police spokesman James Walker said: The IOPC deemed it appropriate for Kent Police to conduct the review itself while a thorough multi-agency domestic homicide review is also now underway to determine any lessons to be learnt.

Stimpson was jailed for life in February and will serve a minimum of 26 years before he can be considered for release.

Undated handout photo issued by Kent Police of Joshua Stimpson, 25 and Molly McLaren as the warehouse worker has been found guilty of murdering his ex-girlfriend in a shopping centre car park after they met on Tinder. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Tuesday February 6, 2018. The jury took less than three hours to convict Joshua Stimpson at Maidstone Crown Court on Tuesday after he stabbed 23-year-old Molly McLaren more than 75 times in Chatham, Kent, on June 29 last year. See PA story COURTS CarPark. Photo credit should read: Kent Police/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.

The couple met on Tinder but broke up four months later (Picture: Kent Police/PA Wire)

Molly, of Cobham, near Gravesend, Kent, and Stimpson first made contact on dating app Tinder in July 2016 before meeting up the following November.

She decided to end the relationship four months later in March last year before continuing to date until June 17, when she told Stimpson it was over.

He then posted derogatory comments and photographs about Molly on social media after the seven month relationship ended.

Police spoke to Stimpson about it after she reported him, but he continued to contact her and followed her to a pub and to her job at a gym.

Kent Police undated handout photo of Joshua Stimpson as the warehouse worker has been found guilty of murdering his ex-girlfriend, Molly McLaren, in a shopping centre car park after they met on Tinder. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Tuesday February 6, 2018. The jury took less than three hours to convict Joshua Stimpson at Maidstone Crown Court on Tuesday after he stabbed 23-year-old Molly McLaren more than 75 times in Chatham, Kent, on June 29 last year. See PA story COURTS CarPark. Photo credit should read: Kent Police/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.

Joshua Stimpson was jailed for life in February (Picture: Kent Police/PA Wire)

In a message to a friend, Molly said: I am scared he might hurt me. I dont know how on edge he is.

The friend asked: Physically hurt you? Molly replied: Yeah. He knows my parents are going away for two weeks. I am going to the police tomorrow.

She also complained about Stimpson being manipulative, adding: He has turned really nasty. He has literally lost the plot.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Friends of Molly rallied together after her death to create a foundation to help others overcome the challenges she faced.

The Molly McLaren Foundation has already raised £36,000 over the past year.

Advertisement

Advertisement

[contf]
[contfnew]

METRO

[contfnewc]
[contfnewc]

Previous articleFactbox – Britain seeks narrower EU access for financial services after Brexit
Next articleDonald Trump touches down in UK for first visit as president