Lack of Professional Curiosity Contributed to Nottingham Murder

Staff from the Probation Service lacked the necessary "professional curiosity" to intervene before 74-year-old Barry Christopher Spooner was murdered in his Nottingham home by his companion, Sarah Hansford. Spooner, a kind and gentle man known as Baz, was stabbed more than 30 times by Hansford, who had been living with him after he took pity on her in 2020. Hansford, who had a history of violence and had previously been sentenced to 39 months in prison, had been living off Spooner's life savings, which were worth around £20,000. She had also stolen items from his house, including a phone and an iPad, and had used a combination of persuasion, threats, aggression, and violence to maintain control over him.

Key Takeaways:

• The Probation Service staff failed to adequately assess Hansford's risk and vulnerability, leading to a lack of intervention and ultimately contributing to Spooner's murder.
• Hansford had a history of violence and had previously been sentenced to 39 months in prison for breaching her restraining order against her elderly grandfather.
• Spooner, who was described as a "good natured and kind gentleman," had been taken advantage of by Hansford, who used his kindness to fund her drug habit.
• Hansford's behavior was characterized by persuasion, threats, aggression, and violence, and she had stripped Spooner of his life savings and stolen items from his house.
• The Probation Service has implemented significant practice developments since Hansford was supervised, including increased focus on addressing vulnerabilities and risk in cases involving women on probation.
• These developments include enhanced professional curiosity among practitioners, clearer expectations around drug testing, and increased liaison with police colleagues and social care.

Statistics:

• Hansford inflicted 24 stab wounds on Spooner, including one to the left carotid artery, which caused severe bleeding.
• Spooner sustained stab wounds to the neck, upper back, and shoulders, indicating moderate force was used during the attack.
• Hansford had been sentenced to 39 months in prison for previous offenses and was serving a life sentence for Spooner's murder.

Sources:

• Inquest into the death of Barry Christopher Spooner at Nottingham Coroners' Court.
• Probation Service staff member, Becky Bailey.
• Coroner Nathanael Hartley.