Murder victim alerted police two years earlier

FORCE WAS CONTACTED ‘MULTIPLE TIMES'

- By ROD MINCHIN and SHANNON BROWN

CLAIRE Chick had been in contact with Devon and Cornwall Police since 2023 - two years prior to her death in Plymouth, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has confirmed.

Ms Chick, 48, was murdered by her estranged husband, Paul Anthony Butler, 53, in West Hoe Road on January 22.

Butler pleaded guilty to her murder on Tuesday at Plymouth Crown Court. Butler, of Stangray Avenue, Plymouth, spoke only to confirm his name and enter his pleas during the hearing, where he also admitted to a charge of possession of a bladed article.

Following Ms Chick’s death, Devon and Cornwall Police referred itself to the IOPC, which is investigating prior contact between Ms Chick and the force. A spokesperson for the IOPC has said Ms Chick had contact with Devon and Cornwall Police on multiple occasions, dating back to 2023.

"After assessment of a referral from Devon and Cornwall Police we decided to investigate police contact with Claire Chick prior to her death in Plymouth on January 22,” a spokesman said.