Campaigners Call for CPS Review After Woman’s Suicide

Published: 19 October 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

Campaigners and domestic abuse charities are urging police and prosecutors to reconsider criminal charges against a man whose former partner died by suicide, after a coroner ruled that his behaviour contributed to her death. The case has reignited debate over the legal system’s ability to hold perpetrators accountable when abuse leads to the tragic death of a victim, particularly when the death occurs by suicide.

The inquest, held earlier this month in Walthamstow, east London, examined the death of 32-year-old Georgia Barter. Assistant coroner Dr Shirley Radcliffe concluded that Barter’s death amounted to unlawful killing. She stated that on or around 5 April 2020, Barter had been assaulted by her long-term partner, Thomas Bignell, who had been violent towards her on multiple occasions over the course of their relationship.

Dr Radcliffe noted that Barter had a documented history of psychiatric conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression, all of which were exacerbated by her partner’s abusive behaviour. Despite repeated incidents over several years, Bignell had never faced criminal charges for his treatment of Barter. He had previous contact with at least four different police forces, yet no violent offences were formally recorded against him prior to Barter’s death.

Following Barter’s passing, Bignell was investigated again by the Metropolitan Police, with a file of evidence subsequently forwarded to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). However, prosecutors declined to bring charges, citing insufficient evidence to meet the criminal standard required for prosecution. DCI Jim Mitchell of the Met’s north-east command unit confirmed that all available lines of enquiry had been pursued, and appeals against the decision were ultimately unsuccessful.

The police force has indicated that it is now reviewing the coroner’s findings. In order for the CPS to reconsider any potential charges, a new evidence file would need to be formally submitted by a police force. In response, domestic abuse campaigners are calling on the Met to resubmit the case and for prosecutors to bring it before a criminal court.

Campaigners emphasise the difference between inquests and criminal proceedings. Inquests determine conclusions on the balance of probabilities, rather than the criminal standard of “beyond reasonable doubt.” While the coroner’s ruling found Barter’s death to be unlawful, Bignell has not been charged or convicted in relation to either her abuse or her death.

Frank Mullane, chief executive of the charity Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse, which is supporting Barter’s family, said: “Although the standards of proof differ between an inquest and a criminal court, the inquest concluded that Georgia was unlawfully killed. If the CPS chooses not to review its decision, the family—and indeed society—deserve a clear explanation as to why no further action is being taken.”

Mullane’s organisation is advocating for new legislation that would enable juries to recognise the causal link between domestic abuse and suicide, potentially creating a criminal offence with sentencing comparable to manslaughter. The charity argues that without such reforms, many victims of long-term abuse remain without justice, while perpetrators are free to continue abusive behaviour.

A CPS spokesperson noted that the initial review of evidence considered multiple potential offences but concluded that the evidential threshold for prosecution was not met. Two subsequent reviews by specialist prosecutors, conducted at the family’s request, reached the same conclusion, reaffirming that there was not a realistic prospect of conviction.

Karen Ingala Smith, co-creator of The Femicide Census, emphasised the wider implications of the case. She highlighted that reducing men’s violence against women requires holding abusers accountable. Smith noted that statistics indicate that deaths by suicide among women often outnumber deaths caused directly by male violence, yet the criminal justice system has rarely recognised these cases as manslaughter. She argued that the failure to prosecute Bignell demonstrates a systemic gap, leaving current and future partners at potential risk.

Andrea Simon, director of the End Violence Against Women Coalition, welcomed the coroner’s recognition of the link between domestic abuse and suicide but stressed the importance of accountability. “Male violence and abuse has a devastating and wide-reaching impact on victims’ lives, which can continue long after the relationship ends,” she said. Simon added that abuse often escalates when a woman leaves a relationship, making it essential that the law provides a pathway to prosecution for deaths resulting from abuse-related suicide.

Pragna Patel, from Project Resist, which campaigns through the Suicide is Homicide initiative, said that bringing charges in such cases is extremely challenging. Families frequently struggle to initiate police investigations, leaving them to gather evidence themselves while coping with grief. Patel’s organisation is pushing for all deaths suspected to involve domestic abuse to be treated as homicides from the outset, ensuring that investigations are comprehensive and consistent.

Patel said: “In Georgia Barter’s case, there has been a ruling of unlawful killing, which should prompt a thorough reconsideration by both police and the CPS. Families should not be burdened with gathering the evidence that the state is responsible for investigating. It is the state’s duty to pursue justice in these circumstances.”

The case has reignited public debate about the treatment of domestic abuse victims whose deaths occur via suicide, highlighting gaps in the legal framework and the challenges faced by prosecutors. Advocates argue that without legislative change, many perpetrators will remain unpunished, and patterns of abuse will continue unchecked. The coroner’s verdict in Barter’s case represents both a moral and legal recognition of harm, and campaigners hope it will catalyse a broader reform of the system.

This situation has also prompted questions about police accountability and inter-agency communication. Despite Bignell’s documented history of violent behaviour, multiple police forces had not brought charges, underscoring concerns that systemic shortcomings may prevent intervention in high-risk relationships. Campaigners are calling for improved protocols to ensure that repeated reports of abuse are effectively investigated and that potential risks are addressed proactively.

For Barter’s family, the ruling provides a measure of acknowledgment of the suffering she endured. Advocacy groups emphasise the need for the criminal justice system to mirror this recognition, ensuring that perpetrators cannot evade consequences. The case has drawn attention to the emotional, psychological, and legal complexities surrounding domestic abuse-related deaths, highlighting the need for comprehensive reforms that recognise the cumulative impact of long-term abuse on victims’ mental health.

The legal and advocacy communities are watching closely to see whether the CPS will reconsider its position. With public scrutiny intensifying, there is pressure on authorities to provide clarity on why prosecutions have not proceeded and to explore whether new legislative or prosecutorial measures are required to prevent future injustices.

Domestic abuse charities and campaigners continue to urge action, highlighting that recognition alone is insufficient without corresponding accountability. They argue that every opportunity to hold perpetrators responsible must be seized, particularly in cases where the evidence of long-term abuse is clear and the outcome is tragically fatal.

The coroner’s findings in Georgia Barter’s case, combined with the public advocacy from campaign groups, underline the urgent need for legal reform. With multiple organisations calling for the CPS to revisit the case, there is hope that future prosecutions will more effectively address the often-overlooked link between prolonged domestic abuse and suicide. As debate continues, Barter’s tragic story serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of systemic inaction and the necessity of proactive legal measures to safeguard vulnerable individuals.