The family of a senior citizen who was murdered by a woman who absconded from a mental health facility has criticized the failure of two police departments and an NHS trust in their handling of the situation.
Roger Leadbeater, a 74-year-old former bus driver, was brutally stabbed to death by Emma Borowy, 32, while walking his dog in a Sheffield park in August 2023. Borowy, diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, claimed she was compelled by the devil to commit a “ritual sacrifice” on Mr. Leadbeater, despite prior discussions with authorities about violent intentions.
Borowy had escaped from an acute mental health unit in Bolton, Greater Manchester, where a coroner later determined that the approval for her leave was likely an oversight due to inadequate procedures. The inquest revealed multiple instances of Borowy attempting to abscond and a lack of proper risk assessment by the mental health trust.
The coroner pointed out lapses in protocol by the Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust and South Yorkshire police, emphasizing that if guidelines had been followed, Borowy’s leave would probably have been denied, preventing the tragic incident.
Angela Hector, Mr. Leadbeater’s niece, expressed disappointment in the authorities for failing to protect her uncle and the public, urging them to consider the consequences of their actions. She vividly described the horrific nature of the attack and emphasized the need for accountability to prevent similar tragedies.
The coroner highlighted deficiencies in Borowy’s care, including incomplete risk assessments and unauthorized leave approvals, leading to the tragic outcome. Recommendations for improved procedures and communication were directed at both police forces and mental health institutions to prevent future incidents.
Julian Hendy, representing the Hundred Families charity, criticized the systemic failures that contributed to Mr. Leadbeater’s death and urged for concrete actions to prevent such incidents in the future. Greater Manchester Mental Health Trust acknowledged the need for learning from past cases to avoid further tragedies.
In response, Greater Manchester Assistant Chief Constable Steph Parker issued an apology for the police’s shortcomings in handling crucial information related to the case. The police force committed to implementing enhanced mental health monitoring procedures to prevent similar oversights and ensure effective collaboration with partners.
The tragic incident underscores the importance of robust protocols and communication between mental health services and law enforcement to safeguard vulnerable individuals and prevent avoidable tragedies.