Police officer given written warning for not investigating threats against woman murdered by husband

Linda Vilika was murdered by her husband eight days after telling police that he had threatened her. (Essex Police and Getty)

A police officer has been given a written warning for misconduct after failing to investigate reports of threats made against a woman eight days before she was stabbed to death by her husband.

Pc Finley Clark and another officer from Essex Police were called to a domestic incident at the home of Linda Vilika and her husband Wilfred Jacob in August 2019.

Vilika told officers that her husband had been recording her, had threatened her via WhatsApp and said she felt at risk.

A disciplinary hearing ruled that Pc Clark failed to undertake any kind of adequate investigation into the claims.

Vilika was found stabbed to death at home in Great Saling eight days after the initial call. Her husband was found guilty of her murder in January this year at Chelmsford Crown Court.

Wilfred Jacob was jailed for his wife's murder in January. (Essex Police)

A disciplinary hearing, held at Chelmsford Civic Centre this week, found that Pc Clark “failed to undertake any adequate investigation” into whether Jacob had threatened or made secret recordings of his wife.

She also failed to examine his electronic equipment, didn't arrest him and provided an inaccurate report on the crime report about the allegations his wife had made.

Watch: Alastair Campbell says Tory government are full of “hypocrisy” surrounding the protests for the death of Sarah Everard

Read more: More photos of people connected to 'Kill the Bill' riot released as Bristol police plan giant investigation

Pc Clark has now been issued with a written warning after being found to have breached Standards of Professional Behaviour of Duties and Responsibilities.

Deputy Chief Constable Pippa Mills said: “Pc Finley Clark’s actions fell below the standards we expect of all of our officers and staff.

“Her actions do not represent how we investigate domestic offences or support vulnerable victims as a force.”

Yahoo News

She described the incident as “isolated” and said the force is rolling out a domestic abuse training programme.

Allegations that Pc Clark turned off her body-worn camera and breached standards of honesty and integrity at the level of gross misconduct were found not to be proven by the hearing.

Watch: Home Secretary: Government is committed to tackling violence against women