An independent review has found that 'institutional misogyny' contributed to 'clear warning signs' being missed during the initial Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) investigation into the death of showjumper Katie Simpson. The review, led by Dr Jan Melia and commissioned by the Department of Justice, concluded that 'not one officer thought seriously about abuse/control' in the 2020 probe.
The report identified 'systematic failures' across multiple agencies, including social services, the health service, and the equestrian sector, in safeguarding Ms Simpson. It noted that officers failed to identify inconsistencies in the account of Jonathan Creswell, the partner of Ms Simpson’s sister, neglected forensic evidence, and dismissed key witness statements. Language used by police, describing Creswell as a 'bad boy', was cited as an example of trivialising male aggression and undermining female victims.
Ms Simpson, 21, from Tynan, County Armagh, died in hospital in August 2020 after an incident at a property in Lettershandoney. Jonathan Creswell, 36, was arrested on suspicion of murder the following year, but the trial ended in April 2024 after he took his own life. The review found that 37 people have since come forward to say they were abused by Creswell, who had groomed Ms Simpson from the age of 10.
PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Davy Beck accepted the findings in full, stating: 'The review makes clear that we missed opportunities. Warning signs were not fully recognised early enough and we did not listen to some of those who raised early concerns.' He added: 'The failings are clear, we fell short and for that I am truly sorry.' The review made 16 recommendations, primarily focused on improving training to address institutional misogyny and domestic abuse awareness.
