Killer’s history of abuse

KILLER . . . Gary Alcock

THE murderer of Violet Mullen had a history of domestic abuse amid concern for his children.

The serious case review details the chaotic lifestyle of the tragic tot’s mum and disturbing past of her killer Gary Alcock.

It begins with how mother-of-three Claire Flanagan left care shortly after her 16th birthday and gave birth to her eldest child seven months later. Oldham Council unsuccessfully tried to dissuade her from leaving care so young but continued to provide support until she was 21.

Volatile
Neither Violet, her youngest child, or her siblings had ever been the subject of a Child Protection Plan and Violet was not known to Children’s Social Care.

Flanagan accessed all antenatal care during all her pregnancies and each child attended routinely for preventative health appointments.

But Violet’s mother and father, who was not the father of her second child, had a volatile relationship. After they acquired a joint housing tenancy, neighbours complained about anti-social behaviour and sub-standard child care.

The review found that First Choice Homes responded within their policies but “showed insufficient understanding of and compliance with safeguarding procedures in relation to the allegations about the children.”

The couple separated and the father moved out with Flanagan starting a relationship with a partner who became the father of her second child. Complaints from neighbours continued for two years until Flanagan left to live in private rented accommodation in Huddersfield Road.

Within six months, the Children’s Assessment Team received two referrals over the eldest child and completed an initial assessment. But no further action was taken — though the review found this did not evidence a full understanding of how many neighbours had complained.

Police were notified of alleged incidents of domestic abuse by both fathers and responded to calls for assistance but the review found officers did not always share information effectively across agencies.

While Flanagan was three months pregnant with Violet more concerns were raised over domestic incidents. A core assessment was completed and advised Flanagan should cease contact with the father while the After Care Service monitored the situation.

Flanagan lived alone with her children for 17 months. When Violet was six-months old an anonymous complaint was made that the children were being left with inappropriate babysitters but this was not followed up.

Flanagan became involved with a Children’s Centre who contacted the Community Outreach Service to help her with her children’s behaviour.

Alcock joined the household seven weeks before Violet’s death. The Children’s Centre did not know that Alcock had two children who were subject to a Child Protection Plan.

There was no information known to agencies to suggest he would pose a risk of physical harm to them. But he had been convicted of an offence of domestic abuse against his children’s mother and completed a six-month supervision order during which he was perceived as co-operative and remorseful.

The review states: “A deeper analysis may have revealed a probability for the children to experience repeated incidents of domestic abuse.”