A mother of three who was allegedly killed by her partner in a domestic violence incident was left alone with him for more than an hour before she died.
Police officers arrived at Sarah Miles’ home in Casino, northern New South Wales, an hour after they first received a triple-0 call on June 29.
The distressed caller reported hearing screams from inside the Johnston Street home and, despite being just a three-minute drive from the Casino police station, by the time officers arrived there she was already unconscious as a result of traumatic head injuries.
The 40-year-old woman could not be revived and died at the scene.
Ms Miles’ best friend Kirsty Lee blames Richmond police for her death, who she says “failed to act”.
“There are so many stations and officers, even in the surrounding areas, why didn’t they act when the first call came in?” Ms Lee said. North Star.
‘My best friend could be here today with her family and her children. I am completely heartbroken. I miss you, Sarah. We will never forget you.’
Ms Miles’ partner, Dwayne John Creighton, 31, remains behind bars after being charged with her domestic violence-related murder.
He has not yet entered a plea. and is due to appear before Lismore Court on 28 August.
Sarah Miles, 40, died at her home in Casino, New South Wales, on June 29 in what police believe was a domestic violence-related incident.
Ms Miles’ partner, Dwayne John Creighton, 31, remains behind bars after being charged with her murder.
Ms Miles’ family and friends are demanding answers from police, who took more than an hour to respond to the first triple-0 call, despite the local station being just three minutes from her home.
Ms Miles’ son said he was having trouble “dealing with the fact that she (allegedly) had been waiting for him on the floor for an hour”.
“That’s something I’ll remember for the rest of my life,” Miles told 9News.
‘My mother was a very strong person, a fighter until the end. I am very proud of her and I am proud to have her as a mother and I am proud to have been her son.’
NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley said an independent investigation was underway into the critical incident to find out what went wrong.
“This is a horrible situation and I want to apologize to the family for the tragic loss they are suffering,” Catley said.
“(The government and the police) take suspected incidents of domestic violence very seriously – they are a top priority.”
Meanwhile, local politicians and those who knew Ms Miles have been criticising police online for a death they believe could have been prevented.
A relative of Ms. Miles said the entire The situation was complete nonsense. ‘traumatic’ and that left her ‘extremely angry’.
Clarence MP Richie Williamson added that it was “alarming” how long it took police to respond.
MP for the federal electorate of Page, Kevin Hogan, has shared the first details of what went wrong in the time between the first triple-zero call being made and officers arriving at the address.
“Reports that the triple-0 call was recorded as priority three, rather than priority one, and that it prompted a delayed police response are exceptionally worrying,” he said.
It is imperative that we understand what caused the delay and ensure it does not happen again.
“Our community must have confidence that if they call triple 0, it will be treated as a matter of urgency.”
Ms Miles was a mother of three. Her son told 9News he was having trouble “dealing with the fact that she (allegedly) waited on the floor for an hour” for police to arrive.
The NSW Police Minister has said an independent inquiry will help determine what went wrong, but some observers have questioned its effectiveness (pictured, Ms Miles’ home)
Former New South Wales magistrate and coroner David Heilpern said Ms Catley’s inquest would not be helpful.
Mr Heilpern said there were “serious concerns expressed from all levels of the criminal justice system about police investigating police”.
“We have independent reporting and investigation authorities for all doctors, lawyers, judges and politicians; the public deserves the same for the police,” he said.
The internal investigation will be subject to an independent review by the Law Enforcement Commission (LECC) and now the New South Wales coroner.
However, Mr. Heilpern said of the LECC that The lead investigators would be police and the reviews would also be carried out by police officers who have “histories of cover-ups,” he added.
“This does not inspire confidence in the public.”
Green Party member of the NSW Legislative Council and justice spokeswoman Sue Higginson shared Mr Heilpern’s concerns.
Ms Higginson, who has a home near Ms Miles, said her death was “Another tragedy… where police allegedly took too long to respond.’
She said for ‘Allowing the police to investigate where the police failed seemed like…The Minister wants to blame triple zero for this tragic death.
Ms Higginson said Richmond police, which investigated “only 19 of the 67 complaints of misconduct made by members of the public last year,” needed to do better.
“In two-thirds of domestic violence investigations, officers fail to follow their own operating procedures and three-quarters of investigations into violent incidents are inadequate,” he said.
A spokesman for New South Wales Police He said it would be “inappropriate to comment” on the investigation while it is ongoing. Daily Mail Australia has contacted NSW Police for further comment.
Domestic Violence Counselling Service 24 Hour Helpline: 1800 737 732
Lifeline on 13 11 14