A ‘vulnerable’ woman was murdered by her abusive partner in a horrific sexual assault, despite the woman reporting the abuse to the police just weeks prior to her death
A “vulnerable” woman reported her abusive partner to police just 17 days before he killed her in a violent sexual assault that left her with injuries so severe she bled to death.
Tiffany Render, 34, was killed by violent brute Paul Irwin, 50, after months of domestic abuse triggered by his drinking and cocaine use. In a statement on March 5 this year, Tiffany told the police she was ‘absolutely terrified’ of Irwin, who was bombarding her with messages and threats.
Irwin was on a suspended prison sentence for attacking her with a rolling pin and could have been put behind bars. She told police that he had taken ‘full control’ of her life, including her bank card, her phone, and was telling her what she could eat.
Irwin was flouting his non-contact bail conditions and was arrested on suspicion of assault and subjecting Tiffany to ‘controlling and coercive behaviour.’ Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) lawyers refused to let Cumbria Police charge him and he was allowed to remain free.
Irwin murdered Tiffany on March 22 this year, subjecting her to a violent sexual assault that left her with injuries so serious she bled to death. The CPS have offered an “unreserved apology” to Tiffany’s family and said they were wrong to stop the police from charging him.
A CPS spokesperson said: “This was a shocking crime, and our deepest sympathies remain with the family and friends of Tiffany Render. We prosecuted Paul Irwin for Tiffany Render’s murder and secured a conviction, he now faces a substantial sentence. A previous request by police to charge Paul Irwin prior to the murder was declined by the CPS because at the time it was believed further evidence was needed.
“We have since conducted an internal review which concluded that decision was wrong. We train our prosecutors extensively to equip them to handle these complex and sensitive cases and will ensure lessons are learned from how this case was handled.”
They added: “We met with Tiffany Render’s family to offer them an unreserved apology on behalf of the CPS and to extend our most profound condolences for the loss they have endured.”
Irwin, who was 17st, had a ‘psychological hold’ over Tiffany, who had hoped he would be her ‘happy ever after’, Carlisle Crown Court heard. He became so aggressive after bingeing on cocaine and alcohol, that he threatened the police officers sent to help Tiffany, after he bombarded her with calls and threats.
The statement Tiffany made just before she was killed was also used as evidence and she said she “couldn’t sleep or eat” because she was too scared. Tiffany said in the statement: “I can’t sleep or eat. I can’t go to sleep because I’m scared he will turn up or one of his friends will turn up.”
Irwin also assaulted Tiffany outside his flat in Whitehaven, Cumbria, and Tiffany told a police officer she feared he would hurt her again. In a tearful conversation with a support worker afterwards, she spoke of feeling ‘broken’ and suffering panic attacks at the thought of seeing Irwin.
After she left Irwin’s flat, she was given supported accommodation where she said she felt safe. But Irwin was texting her, claiming that he loved her. He then later subjected her to an assault so violent that Tiffany bled to death at his flat.
Irwin admitted manslaughter and denied murdering Tiffany, but he was convicted of murder and will be sentenced on Friday (December 13). Tiffany’s family paid tribute to her after her death, saying they will “treasure every memory of her.” They said: “It is with great sadness that Tiffany has so tragically been taken from us. Tiffany will be sorely missed by her whole family. We will treasure every memory of her.”
Speaking after the case, Ikram Dahman, of domestic abuse charity Refuge, said: ‘It is entirely unacceptable that the justice system continues to fail the women it is supposed to protect, in this case with fatal consequences. While the CPS have now acknowledged that not charging Paul sooner was a grave error, this admission only scratches the surface of the justice system’s failure to protect women and girls experiencing domestic abuse.”
For confidential support, call the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Freephone Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or visit womensaid.co.uk. If you or your family have lost a friend or family member through fatal domestic abuse, AAFDA (Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse) can offer specialist and expert support and advocacy. For more info visit www.aafda.org.uk.