Mother-of-five unlawfully killed in ‘soul-destroying’ tragedy – coroner

A coroner has ruled that a mother-of-five was unlawfully killed as police confirm “obsessed” former partner would have been charged with her murder.

Paramedics and police were called to a flat in Ranelagh Road, Weymouth, Dorset, on April 1, 2021, where Sherrie Milnes was pronounced dead.

Home Office pathologist Dr Basil Purdue told the Bournemouth inquest that the 51-year-old died of neck compression and multiple stab wounds.

Later that day, her former partner of eight years, Steven Doughty, 54, was found dead at his home in Portland. A separate inquest into his death heard he took his own life by hanging.

The hearing was told that Ms Milnes had called police on March 31, 2021, complaining of harassment by Mr Doughty.

Her family said: “There would have been a significant cause for concern as it is in her nature to persevere and solve problems and difficulties independently.”

Coroner Rachael Griffin said that the family’s belief was that the police call handlers missed opportunities to upgrade the classification of Ms Milnes’ complaint against Mr Doughty.

She said: “There were indicators, that they say, that there were phrases used, that should have been been noted to raise the log to a higher priority.”

She added that the family believed that if the police had then acted by providing “advice” to Mr Doughty, it could have prevented “this tragic and soul-destroying outcome”.

However, the coroner said there was no evidence Ms Milnes’ death could have been prevented and recorded a conclusion that she was unlawfully killed.

In a statement read to the Bournemouth hearing, Ms Milnes’ family stated that Ms Milnes, a healthcare assistant, had previously separated from Mr Doughty three times before leaving him on February 25, 2021, having started a new relationship with another man.

They said: “Steve would always pursue Sherrie to get her back using phone calls, text messages, sending flowers and gifts.”

Ms Milnes’ daughter Holly, said in a statement that Mr Doughty had been “continuously” messaging Ms Milnes and “dialling and redialling” her and she had blocked him on her mother’s social media.

Detective Sergeant Richard Winn, of Dorset Police, told the hearing that Mr Doughty was seen on CCTV entering Ms Milnes’ home on the day she died and was there for about an hour.

He said analysis of blood found on his clothing found that he would have been knelt over her when she was stabbed and DNA samples showed skin-to-skin contact between him and the deceased.

Det Sgt Winn added that Mr Doughty had recently bought a 20cm kitchen knife in a Wilkinson store which had not been found after the fatal attack.

He said Mr Doughty had carried out internet research on suicide methods and left a note “asking for forgiveness” for the “shitstorm I have caused”.

He said that Mr Doughty would have been charged with murder had he not died.

He added: “I think the intention was to get back together with Sherrie in his mindset and because it was established that couldn’t happen then if Steve couldn’t be in a relationship with Sherrie then no-one else could either.”

In a statement released after the inquest, Ms Milnes’ family said: “Sherrie had a passion for life, a wicked sense of humour and an infectious laugh which endeared her to everyone she came into contact with.

“She was a nurturing, sensitive and warm-hearted individual who loved her family and friends deeply.”

They added: “Sherrie’s death has left a very painful void in the lives of those who knew her, one which is felt just as potent(ly) today as was on the day of her death.

“Her family have spent the past two years trying to come to terms with our loss, however, our lives will forever be overshadowed by the horrific circumstances of her passing.”