Angela Wrightson murder: Vulnerable Hartlepool woman's death 'could not have been prevented'

The murder of vulnerable Hartlepool woman Angela Wrightson by two teenage girls could not have been prevented, official reviews have found.
Angela Wrightson, inset, died in December 2014.Angela Wrightson, inset, died in December 2014.
Angela Wrightson, inset, died in December 2014.

Two Serious Case Reviews and a Safeguarding Adults Review were carried out after the murder of Angela at her home in Stephen Street in December 2014.

The girls, aged 13 and 14 at the time, who cannot be identified, were sentenced to 15 years custody.

The girls who murdered Angela Wrightson were sentenced last year to 15 years custody.The girls who murdered Angela Wrightson were sentenced last year to 15 years custody.
The girls who murdered Angela Wrightson were sentenced last year to 15 years custody.
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Ann Baxter, chairwoman of the Teeswide Safeguarding Adults Board (TSAB), said: "This really was a sad and shocking case, and everyone who was involved in [Angela's] life, in particular her family and the staff who worked directly with her, were left devastated by what happened.

"The Safeguarding Adults Review is very clear and the independent author has concluded that this could not have been predicted and therefore could not have been prevented."

But officials say all the organisations that were involved with Angela and her killers could have shared more information and been more coordinated, and are looking at how they can share information better.

Dave Packard, chairman of Hartlepool Local Safeguarding Children Board, said of the two teenage girls: "Neither young person had a criminal history and no history of any significant assaults on any other individuals.

Angela lost her life at her home in Stephen Street, Hartlepool.Angela lost her life at her home in Stephen Street, Hartlepool.
Angela lost her life at her home in Stephen Street, Hartlepool.
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"Their behaviour was troublesome and still social before the night in question, but there was no suggestion whatsoever of any serious violence: it was a total shock to everyone.

"The reports provide the board with a number of findings and all board members accept these and are fully committed to ensuring everything is done to minimise the risk of a similar tragic event ever happening again."

All the partner organisations say they are working together to develop action plans to address the reviews' findings which will be monitored by the Hartlepool Local Safeguarding Children Board and Teeswide Safeguarding Adults Board.