A mother of five forced to swallow her wedding ring before being brutally murdered by her husband has been dismissed by the police, according to the rules of the investigation

A mother-of-five who was brutally killed by her abusive husband was abandoned by two police forces before her death, an inquest heard.

Lucy-Anne Rushton, 30, was murdered by Shaun Dyson during a ‘prolonged attack’ in 2019 during which he stomped on her, kicked her and jumped on her and made her swallow his wedding ring.

The attack was so brutal that Ms Rushton had suffered 37 rib fractures, a broken sternum and collapsed lungs when she died.

Dyson was convicted of Ms Rushton’s murder and sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 17 years in 2019.

Dorset Police and Hampshire Police missed opportunities to save the mother, including when officers visited her home just weeks before she died.

A year before she was fatally attacked, police responded to an altercation between Ms Rushton and Dyson at a hotel in Bournemouth, Dorset.

The two were heard arguing in their bedroom, with Dyson calling her a “drunk slut”.

And just a month before her death, Ms Rushton’s concerned brother reported Dyson to the police for taking photos of him sexually abusing her on her 30th birthday.

But none of these incidents were adequately followed up by investigating forces, an inquest at Winchester Coroner’s Court heard.

Dorset Police failed to obtain CCTV evidence of the altercation at the hotel, while Hampshire Police failed to carry out a risk assessment.

One of Ms Rushton’s children also made comments at primary school about violence at home which were not reported to children’s services.

When the case was finally referred, just days before Ms Rushton’s death, children’s services refused to do so.

And while an investigation into Ms Rushton’s murder was being investigated, a detective was found to have forged signatures on a witness statement.

Robert Ferrow, 50, who had 18 years’ experience with Hampshire Police, allowed a witness to sign blank pages and go home so he could transcribe notes of their conversation.

In June 2019, Dyson killed Ms Rushton in an early morning attack at her home in Andover, Hampshire, where he stomped on her, kicked her and jumped on her.

During his trial, the court heard there were also children at the property on the night of the “brutal” attack.

The couple married in 2010 and endured a “toxic and volatile” relationship, the court heard.

The night before her death, Ms Rushton received a phone call from an ex-partner, which left Dyson angry.

A child who was in the house later heard him tell Ms Rushton to swallow her ring because “we’re not together anymore”.

The child was then awakened around 4 a.m. on June 23 by “knocking noises” and screams.

Dyson then phoned police at a “surprisingly quiet” mansion, before paramedics found Ms Rushton’s lifeless body on a bed.

The killer then lied to police, telling them that Ms Rushton had drowned after trying to wake her by throwing water at her.

Dyson was discovered by police later that day hiding in a bedroom cupboard as officers carried out a “further” search of the house.

The court heard Dyson had his own secret affair before Ms Rushton’s death.

Today, after three weeks of investigation, the jury recorded a unanimous narrative conclusion highlighting the failures that preceded Ms Rushton’s unlawful killing.

The jury foreman said: “The relationship between the two parties was abusive and violent, the relationship had a material impact on his death.

“In 2018 they were staying at a hotel in Bournemouth, a 999 call was made, the police responded and, when questioned by the police (Ms Rushton), denied any altercation.

“CCTV evidence showed a physical confrontation, this was not secured by police, a public protection notice issued by police was submitted three weeks later.

“This was received by the original local authority (Hampshire County Council), it was not acted upon…

“The children attended a local primary school, one child reported abuse at home, the school did not report the matter to children’s services.

“A referral was made on June 7, 2019, following significant concerns, the referral was refused by children’s services.

“On May 30, concerning photos were shared with police, several lines of inquiry were not followed and a risk assessment was not carried out.

“Lucy-Anne Rushton died on June 23, 2019 following a brutal and prolonged attack. Lucy-Anne Rushton was unlawfully killed.”

A public protection notice records safeguarding concerns about an adult or child that are shared between organisations.

Speaking after the jury returned its conclusion, Hampshire deputy coroner Darren Stuart said he planned to write a report into preventing future deaths highlighting “gaps” which give him “reason to s ‘worry’.

He said: “In relation to Hampshire Police, the contact with Ms Rushton on May 30, 2019, in particular, with the transmission of images and the consideration of those images constituting a criminal offense and the action taken in relation to that .

“The failure to carry out a formal risk assessment or issue a public protection notice following contact between the police and Ms Rushton on May 31, poor decision-making and poor justification on the part of the police on duty.

“Regarding the school…to accommodate the approach to record keeping, at the time records were kept on paper which were not recorded on the online system.

“The failures related to these gaps are the ones that worry me about future deaths.”

He also offered his condolences to Ms Rushton’s family, represented by her mother, Myra Simpson, and son, Luke Simpson, and apologized for the time that had passed since her death.

“Five years to see the end of this process is far too long,” Mr Stuart said.

“I sincerely regret that it took so long.

“I understand this has had a profound impact on the family with young children who have lost their mother.

“I am sure the jury will join me in offering their deepest condolences for your terrible loss.”

A tribute from Mrs Rushton’s family was read at the inquest by the coroner, Patrick Parker.

Mrs Rushton’s son, also called Luke, 19, said: “My mother was a very caring person, I have very fond memories of her taking us on holiday to Spain.

“I will remember her as someone who made people laugh, she was a brilliant mother.”

The tribute continues: “Lucy was killed in the most disturbing way.

“All we have are memories and photos.”

“She was the best mother and loved her children more than anything in the world.

“(Dyson) destroyed and divided our family.”