The parents of a woman murdered by her boyfriend hope a Judicial Review will help to expose an alleged catalogue of police failings into their daughter’s death.
Robert Trigg, now 54, subjected girlfriend Susan Nicholson, 52, to repeated beatings before killing her in 2011.
The chef almost got away with the 2011 murder of Miss Nicholson and the 2006 killing of ex-girlfriend Caroline Devlin after claiming they both died accidentally in their sleep.
However Miss Nicholson’s parents, Peter Skelton, 85, and wife Elizabeth, 83, launched a campaign for justice and brought in a senior pathologist to re-examine both deaths.
Robert Trigg (pictured), now 54, subjected girlfriend Susan Nicholson, 52, to repeated beatings before killing her in 2011
Their tireless battle led to the case being reopened in 2017 where Trigg was convicted at Lewes Crown Court of the murder of Miss Nicholson and the manslaughter of Miss Devlin.
Pathologist Dr Nathaniel Cary concluded that Ms Nicholson was suffocated by having her head forced into the bed.
In Ms Devlin’s case, Dr Cary found her death was caused by a blow to the back of her head.
Pathologist Dr Nathaniel Cary concluded that Susan Nicholson (pictured) was suffocated by having her head forced into the bed
Trigg denied both charges but declined to give evidence in his defence. He was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 25 years behind bars.
In both cases, Trigg didn’t ring 999 after either of his girlfriends’ death, instead putting neighbours up to the task.
After Miss Nicholson’s murder, he wandered to a nearby shop and bought cigarettes before calling his older brother Michael and then neighbour Hannah Cooper, who dialled 999.
A 999 call released by police records Miss Cooper’s frantic phone call, as Trigg calmly spins her the lies of her ‘accidental death’ on the sofa.
And now the family have been forced to take legal action a second time as they believe officers from Sussex Police should have realised that her life was in danger and protected her.
Sussex Police and the Coroner of West Sussex have opposed plans for a full inquest which could expose police failings.
Officers were also aware Trigg had a long history of domestic violence and that a former partner had needed hospital treatment. Pictured: Trigg in 2017
Yet the case will go to Judicial Review next week which could force a full inquest to take place
If successful, alleged failings by the police that were not addressed in the first short inquest will be investigated.
Despite knowing Trigg had a long history of domestic violence and a former partner had needed hospital treatment, police released him without charge after each death.
Miss Nicholson’s parents were stunned by the police response and decided to hire their own investigators and a team of experts to look into the tragedy.
An ‘accidental’ conclusion into the death of Miss Nicholson was later quashed by the High Court and a new inquest launched.
Sussex Police had been called to Miss Nicholson’s flat in Worthing, West Sussex, six times in the weeks before her death after reports of violence.
Officers were also aware Trigg had a long history of domestic violence and that a former partner had needed hospital treatment.
Now hundreds of people have donated to a crowdfunding page and raised more than £4,000 to support the family as they fight for a full Article 2 inquest, which is held when the state is suspected of having responsibility for a death.
Mr Skelton said: ‘I see this hearing as an opportunity to make sure that there is a proper inquiry into whether Susan’s death could have been prevented.
‘Sussex Police had all the information about Trigg’s history of violence against Susan and other women.
‘They knew that Caroline had died while in bed with him. Even after Susan’s neighbour called the police and they found Susan with injuries to her face, they didn’t see that he was a danger to her.
He continued: ‘We want to ask the officers what they did to protect Susan, and we had hoped that Sussex Police would want their officers to be alert to the dangers faced by victims of domestic violence and protecting them properly.
‘We are hurt and disappointed that they have chosen to fight our challenge instead, and that they want us to pay their legal costs if we lose.’
Lawyer Alice Hardy, who is representing the family, said: ‘It is hugely disappointing that Sussex Police appear determined to fight it, and to threaten Susan’s elderly parents with a large bill for their legal costs in doing so.
‘Susan’s family have already been through enough. After Trigg’s conviction a Sussex Police officer visited Susan’s parents and apologised to them.
‘It is incredible that Sussex Police now seek to avoid a full inquiry into whether Susan was adequately protected, and to intimidate Susan’s parents into withdrawing their challenge.
‘It suggests that they are determined not to learn lessons from Susan’s death. The behaviour of Sussex Police in this case is bad news for victims of domestic violence.’
The Judicial Review will be held on March 24 and 25.