Police forces were today warned not to hand out fines in stalking cases after teenager Shana Grice has to pay £90 for wasting police time before she was murdered by her obsessed ex-boyfriend.
She reported her former partner Michael Lane, 27, to Sussex Police for stalking five times in six months before he but her throat and tried to burn her body.
Instead of being treated as a victim Shana was handed a £90 fixed penalty notice for wasting police time and given ‘strong words of advice’.
Five months later, Miss Grice was murdered by Lane in August 2016. He was jailed for a minimum of 25 years.
Shana Grice was fined £90 for wasting police time before she was murdered by her obsessed ex-boyfriend Michael Lane – now police have bene told not to hand out these fixed penalty notices
Last month a disciplinary panel ruled former constable Trevor Godfrey committed misconduct by failing to treat the teenager fairly.
PC Trevor Godfrey of Sussex Police fined terrified teenager Shana Grice for wasting police time when she reported harassment by her ex Michael Lane, who later murdered her
But Mr Godfrey, who had completed 29 years’ service, had already retired from Sussex Police in December 2017 on a full pension. He was cleared of gross misconduct.
After her shocking case the IOPC has today issued a recommendation to all chief constables in England and Wales stating that fixed penalty notices should not be issued in cases that involve stalking and harassment.
It has also issued another recommendation to the College of Policing and the National Police Chief’s Council requesting force’s ensure their employees are fully equipped to perform the role they are in.
The recommendation says: ‘The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) lead for stalking has issued a letter to Chief Constables clarifying that Police Information Notices (PINs), in any form, should not be issued in cases that involve stalking or harassment.
‘All forces should satisfy themselves that PINs (or equivalent) are not being used by officers in cases that involve stalking or harassment.’
Miss Grice was found dead at her home in Portslade, East Sussex, where Lane tried to set fire to her bedroom to burn her body
Last week a disciplinary hearing was told PC Trevor Godfrey had spoken to Shana in March 2016 after she reported Lane, 27, for assault.
During an altercation into the street he had grabbed her phone and pulled her hair causing her pain.
Killer Michael Lane stalked and harassed Miss Grice before slitting her throat and trying to burn her body
Lane was arrested and Shana was interviewed by police over the assault and questioned over her relationship with Lane.
Although Shana had been in a long-term relationship with boyfriend Ashley Cooke, she was also conducting a secret affair with Lane.
However during the interview she did not tell the officer about the affair and when he later discovered it she was issued with a fixed penalty fine.
The officer was found to have committed misconduct but was cleared of gross misconduct.
After the hearing Shana’s parents, Sharon Grice and Richard Green, said: ‘The misconduct charge is a joke and the hearing a sham.
‘What message does this give to other officers? Even more importantly, what message does it send to victims? We are disgusted and feel thoroughly let down by the process. There is no justice.’
Sarah Green, IOPC regional director, said: ‘We have been in regular contact with Sussex Police during our investigation and since its conclusion, highlighting potential issues with how the force was handling allegations of stalking and harassment.
‘Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services also conducted an in-depth assessment of the force’s performance on stalking and harassment and has raised concerns.
‘It is vitally important that as part of our work, good practice is recognised and shared, while shortcomings, be it in policies, systems or training, are identified and improved.’
Godfrey had dealt with Miss Grice in March 2016 after she reported Lane for assault in March 2016, the panel heard.
During an altercation into the street, he had grabbed her phone and pulled her hair causing her pain. Lane was arrested and Miss Grice was interviewed by police. The teenager was questioned over her relationship with Lane.
Miss Grice had been in a long-term relationship but was also having an affair with Lane. She told officers she was not in an intimate relationship with him.
At the hearing, Mr Godfrey said Miss Grice had repeatedly lied to him about the nature of the relationship.
He said that, as result of viewing text messages and the fact the pair regularly met up, he did not believe she was vulnerable.
Panel chairman Victoria Goodfellow said: ‘We are satisfied that Mr Godfrey acted unfairly towards Miss Grice by not exploring further the context of her relationship with Mr Lane and by effectively reaching a conclusion without making proper enquiry.’