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7 December 2010
Last updated at 05:27 ET
The police watchdog has criticised Essex Police for its handling of the case of a woman murdered by her ex-boyfriend.
Maria Stubbings, 50, died in 2008 after being strangled in her Chelmsford home by convicted killer Marc Chivers.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said serious police failures meant Ms Stubbings was not afforded the protection she deserved.
It also called for a change in the law relating to people convicted abroad.
The IPCC report said that in July 2008, Chivers assaulted Ms Stubbings and a risk assessment was carried out by Essex Police and Chivers was considered a "very high risk perpetrator".
Recalled to prison On 13 October 2008 he was convicted of common assault and received a four-month jail sentence but as he had already served time on remand he was released immediately.
After he was charged with assault, police informed Ms Stubbings that Chivers had previously spent 15 years in prison in Germany for the murder of a girlfriend there, before being deported to the UK.
On 11 December 2008 Ms Stubbings called police to report a burglary in her house which she suspected had been carried out by Chivers.
At some point between 16 and 19 December 2008, Chivers murdered Ms Stubbings.
The IPCC found that while UK authorities were aware of Chivers' conviction in Germany, it was not legally possible to impose on him the restrictions to which persons serving life sentences in the UK are required to adhere.
Had Chivers committed the first murder in the UK he would have been on life licence following his release, and on his conviction for assault in July 2008 he could have been recalled to prison.
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Maria Stubbings, 50, died in 2008 after being strangled in her Chelmsford home by convicted killer Marc Chivers.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said serious police failures meant Ms Stubbings was not afforded the protection she deserved.
It also called for a change in the law relating to people convicted abroad.
The IPCC report said that in July 2008, Chivers assaulted Ms Stubbings and a risk assessment was carried out by Essex Police and Chivers was considered a "very high risk perpetrator".
Recalled to prison On 13 October 2008 he was convicted of common assault and received a four-month jail sentence but as he had already served time on remand he was released immediately.
After he was charged with assault, police informed Ms Stubbings that Chivers had previously spent 15 years in prison in Germany for the murder of a girlfriend there, before being deported to the UK.
On 11 December 2008 Ms Stubbings called police to report a burglary in her house which she suspected had been carried out by Chivers.
At some point between 16 and 19 December 2008, Chivers murdered Ms Stubbings.
The IPCC found that while UK authorities were aware of Chivers' conviction in Germany, it was not legally possible to impose on him the restrictions to which persons serving life sentences in the UK are required to adhere.
Had Chivers committed the first murder in the UK he would have been on life licence following his release, and on his conviction for assault in July 2008 he could have been recalled to prison.
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