Every time I had a foul day, I dreaded trudging dwelling, up a hill, at midnight.
Then I’d keep in mind my daughter, Bethany, was ready for me and I’d suppose ‘every part’s not so dangerous’. I couldn’t wait to see her beaming smile and listen to her chuckle.
She had this pretty method about her. I worshipped the bottom she walked on. She was my world.
There are barely phrases to explain the unimaginable grief I dwell with now.
In 2019, my daughter Bethany Rae Fields was brutally killed by her ex-partner, Paul Crowther, after being repeatedly failed by the companies meant to guard her.
She was solely 21.
My lovely woman who, aged six, would cowl my eyes each time a cartoon acquired a bit too scary; who wrote me postcards from college; who befriended a snow goose with a foul leg as a result of it couldn’t fly.
I used to be in awe of her abilities and presents, her intelligence and sense of humour.
Now, powered by my sorrow and rage of the injustices Bethany confronted, I’m decided to make change in her reminiscence. I wish to do her proud.
I’m asking the police to do three easy issues when a girl involves them to report abuse and threats made to their life: Bear in mind Bethany’s initials and Imagine-React-Quick.
This Is Not Proper
On November 25, 2024 Metro launched This Is Not Proper, a year-long marketing campaign to deal with the relentless epidemic of violence towards girls.
With the assistance of our companions at Ladies's Support, This Is Not Proper goals to shine a light-weight on the sheer scale of this nationwide emergency.
Yow will discover extra articles right here, and if you wish to share your story with us, you may ship us an electronic mail at vaw@metro.co.uk.
Learn extra:
- Introducing This Is Not Proper: Metro's year-long violence towards girls marketing campaign
- Remembering the ladies killed by males in 2024
Bethany and I have been thick as thieves and we’d stroll round with our arms linked, simply so completely happy in one another’s firm.
At the same time as a younger woman, she was all the time smiling. She acquired a real buzz out of constructing different individuals completely happy, and I keep in mind one dad and mom’ night when her instructor advised me that she was the little peacemaker. She’d all the time step in when different ladies have been having fights and sorted them.
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And I couldn’t have been extra proud when she acquired into York College to review environmental geography, working in direction of her dream of going to Iceland to review volcanoes and assist combat local weather change. I actually consider she would have achieved her goals, too. Her professor advised me she was essentially the most enthusiastic scholar they’d had.
The one space of her life the place Bethany didn’t appear to be thriving was in her relationship.
Paul Crowther had identified Bethany since she was 14 years previous, after often visiting the music studio the place Bethany’s father labored.
I nonetheless can’t consider that somebody could possibly be so evil, so monstrous, so predatory, as to take the life of somebody they’d often called a toddler.
They began courting in 2017, when Bethany was 19 and he was 33. In fact, I used to be extremely cautious of the age hole.
On assembly him – and later visiting their flat – my unease grew; it turned clear he wasn’t good with cash and Bethany, a lot his junior, appeared to be carrying him.
I didn’t wish to say an excessive amount of for concern of driving her additional in direction of him. As an alternative, I reminded myself that Bethany was younger; I used to be certain their relationship would run its course.
I did ask her as soon as, ‘You do know he isn’t best for you?’, and Bethany nodded; little did I do know that she was struggling.
I realized after her loss of life that she went to Ladies’s Support fairly early on of their relationship, and she or he had referred to as him controlling, abusive and manipulative.
I used to be beside myself once I discovered; I puzzled why she hadn’t come to me. Then I remembered she was a protector; the kid masking my eyes from scary cartoons. She’d all the time been so decided to kind issues out herself.
And she or he did strive.
In early 2018, Bethany sought assist from Leeds Home Violence Service (LDVS) about go away her relationship. The following month, she visited a drop-in session and advised a employee she was staying together with her associate however wished recommendation on what to do in an emergency state of affairs.
What to do in the event you're experiencing home abuse
If you’re experiencing home abuse, you aren’t alone. And whether or not you’re presently dealing with or have made the choice to depart, you do have choices.
- If you’re fascinated about leaving, home abuse charity Refuge suggests beginning a document of abusive incidents, which could embrace saving footage or messages, or making notes of occasions, dates and particulars of incidents.
- The following step is to make copies of necessary paperwork akin to court docket orders, marriage certificates, Nationwide Insurance coverage Numbers and your driving licence.
- Within the meantime, establish the safer areas of your private home in order that you realize the place to go in case your abuser turns into aggravated. Ideally, this needs to be a room with a telephone and a door or window to the surface.
- Should you really feel prepared to depart, begin by making a plan for a protected, dependable route out. Should you really feel protected to take action, pack an emergency bag so that you just go away in a rush if wanted.
- You’ll be able to entry an area refuge, both with or with out kids, for so long as you’ll want to keep. The tackle is confidential. The Nationwide Home Abuse Helpline (0808 2000 247) is open 24-hours a day and has all the small print of refuges in your space.
- In an emergency state of affairs, ring 999 and ask for the police. Should you aren’t in a position to speak, strive the Silent Resolution: after dialling 999, hearken to the questions from the operator and reply by coughing or tapping your machine, if potential. If prompted, press 55 to let the operator comprehend it's an emergency – you'll be put by means of to the police.
Learn extra right here.
She mentioned that whereas he hadn’t been violent, he’d threatened to hurt Bethany’s family and friends. The LDVS employee was involved for my daughter’s security and defined the companies accessible to her.
But Bethany being Bethany, the large hearted woman that she was, she wished to assist him.
Conscious that Paul had been fighting a identified persona dysfunction since 2015, Bethany attended a course for individuals caring for others with the situation. She confided within the course chief that he additionally had psychosis and paranoia.
Bethany believed everyone deserved a second likelihood.
She secured him some volunteering on a farm, which she thought could be good for him. Even once they broke up in June 2019, Bethany continued to take care of him. She agreed to his calls for, like holding arms in public, and notified the police when he threatened to harm himself (and others) to ensure he was protected.
Bethany was failed.
What Bethany did subsequent
July 2019Bethany speaks to psychological well being staff
Bethany advised them that she had caring duties for her ex-boyfriend and felt he might behave in an abusive method, though she didn’t really feel in danger. This was relayed to her GP however to not the police.
August 12, 2019BETHANY GOES TO THE POLICE
When she realised that she and others could possibly be in peril, Bethany went to West Yorkshire Police (WYP), the place she was given recommendation on leaving him and advised to telephone 101.
August 16, 2019Bethany calls the police
Bethany referred to as Derbyshire Police to report threats made towards a buddy, which have been relayed to WYP. On the identical day, one other buddy mentioned Bethany additionally referred to as WYP about additional threats.
August 19, 2019bethany telephones leeds home violence service
Bethany advised LDVS that her ex-partner was making threats to her and others and was fixated ‘on the ability of killing’. She additionally mentioned that he’d stabbed somebody up to now.
AUGUST 19, 2019bethany provides a press release to the police about his home abuse
I might later study from the Home Murder Report performed after Bethany’s loss of life that her assertion was taken by a junior officer not lengthy out of tutorship. The report discovered ‘their lack of expertise and poor supervision didn’t establish the actual danger that [Paul Crowther] posed Bethany’.
The identical report revealed Bethany was involved in regards to the velocity of the police investigation (she chased them for updates, saying she was scared Crowther was on the lookout for her) and advised a buddy that she apprehensive about being killed.
september 4, 2019another buddy contacts the police
Bethany’s buddy emailed the police about Paul making threats on the again of Bethany’s grievance.
september 7, 2019bethany’s dad contacts the police
Bethany’s dad reported that Paul threatened and adopted him. This didn’t progress.
september 9, 2019another buddy recordsdata a grievance
One other buddy of Bethany’s, who had acquired loss of life threats, complained to the police; the log was closed in error – one other grievance that by no means progressed.
On prime of all that, Paul, himself, was identified to psychological well being companies and the police.
Throughout a interval of 1997 to 2019, he was detained 9 occasions beneath the Psychological Well being Act.
He acquired a juvenile warning for felony injury, a home abuse warning letter from West Yorkshire Police after harassing a earlier associate, and was accused by a police neighborhood assist officer (PCSO) of stabbing him throughout a combat.
When a second ex-partner reported Crowther for sending undesirable messages, an evaluation report discovered him to be medium danger, and he acquired a harassment discover from the police. When reported once more, Crowther was convicted for harassment
In early 2018, he went to the emergency division accompanied by the police over considerations about his aggression and need to kill somebody. He admitted to his GP that he was not taking the remedy correctly, leading to heightened paranoia.
The alternatives to cease him
August 14, 2019he interacts with psychological well being companies
Once they broke up, Paul advised his psychological well being suppliers that he wished to take revenge towards Bethany however knew he shouldn’t.
He was not detained.
august 18, 2019he speaks to psychological well being companies
Paul advised his psychological well being group he’d made threats to Bethany’s buddy, assuring them he wouldn’t really act – he was not detained.
august 19, 2019he goes to the police
He went to the police station and mentioned he was going to ‘smash a male’s head in’. Nonetheless, he was not detained. A psychological well being nurse mentioned that they had ‘no considerations’. I consider Crowther was emboldened by the dearth of punishment he confronted.
august 27, 2019he goes to the police
Paul really reported Bethany for assault. She was tiny, 21 to his 35 years. I discover it despicable. Staffing points meant that this ‘grievance’ progressed slowly.
september 3, 2019he goes to the police
He had the nerve to chase his grievance towards Bethany. He did it once more 4 days later.
september 12, 2019he provides a press release
He was invited in to make a press release towards her.
The police might have arrested Paul Crowther for all of the threats he’d made, whereas he was within the station that day. As an alternative, they listened to him as he made out that my Bethany was the perpetrator. I’ll by no means forgive them.
september 12, 2019bethany is killed
That very same day, he killed my daughter.
On the street, whereas she was serving to to organise a charity occasion for individuals with disabilities.
The second the police advised me was essentially the most horrendous, heart-rending of my life. I knew in my intestine that Paul Crowther was accountable. Once they confirmed it, the very first thing I mentioned was: ‘She got here to you for assist’.
In that instantaneous, the individual I used to be, died. I’ll by no means be that individual once more.
I couldn’t wrap my head round her not being alive anymore. That she didn’t survive her accidents. That I might by no means be together with her once more.
I ran out of the room and collapsed on the ground.
I wanted it might have been me; I might have fortunately died in my daughter’s place in order that she might have achieved every part she dreamed of doing.
I’ll by no means be capable of perceive how my daughter was failed so badly.
Two ex girlfriends had reported him to the police for harassment – with one leading to conviction; he’d beforehand been accused of stabbing a PCSO; he’d been detained 9 occasions beneath the Psychological Well being Act; he’d advised professionals he wished to kill somebody, and that he had been fascinated about vengeance; they knew he wasn’t on his correct remedy; Bethany and 4 different individuals in her life had reported him to police for threats both to them or my daughter.
West Yorkshire Police say they’ve apologised to us however it is going to by no means be sufficient. They should admit publicly that they failed Bethany.
My thoughts boggles on the incompetence of individuals, particularly those that have the brass neck to name themselves professionals, and I refuse to pussyfoot round and keep quiet when pressing change must be made.
The person who killed my daughter pleaded responsible to manslaughter, claiming he didn’t keep in mind killing Bethany and was in ‘an altered state of consciousness’. He acquired a life sentence with a minimal of 12 years on the grounds of ‘diminished accountability’.
Although the decide mentioned that Paul Crowther ‘knew completely effectively what [he was] doing’, he nonetheless acquired a paltry sentence.
He could possibly be out in seven years. He’d be 48 then, absolutely able to doing this once more to another person.
He’s an evil, evil individual and I might implore the justice system to ensure this man will not be set free. Throw away the important thing and fake he by no means existed.
Be taught extra about Killed Ladies
Killed Ladies is an organisation and community for the bereaved households of ladies who have been killed by males, they usually're campaigning for change.
Killed Ladies wish to change the notion that these deaths and injustices are unavoidable tragedies to be anticipated and accepted. They're campaigning to:
- Assist shield extra girls from these most excessive types of violence
- Get justice for individuals who have misplaced their lives by the hands of males
- Enhance the assist and rights of the bereaved households left behind, particularly for kids
If you’re a bereaved relative of a girl who has been killed by a person, you may attain out to Killed Ladies on information@killedwomen.org. To seek out out extra in regards to the organisation, click on right here.
No person, no person, deserves this man to return into their life. It’s why I say his title; I need anybody who comes throughout him sooner or later to know precisely what he did to Bethany; what he’s able to.
However I additionally need Bethany’s title to be identified far and vast. Whereas there’s breath in my physique I’ll inform her story and marketing campaign for her. A marketing campaign that’s worthy of her reminiscence.
I spoke to different dad and mom whose kids had been taken from them and a typical denominator was that they weren’t believed or listened to.
Like Bethany, they have been clever, articulate girls, with witnesses and proof, and I simply saved considering: ‘In the event that they didn’t take Bethany severely, what likelihood do different girls have?’.
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Different girls who could really feel cautious of interacting with police; who could not communicate English as a primary language; who mumble once they communicate; who’re weak on account of dependancy.
It got here to me: Imagine-React-Quick.
My message to police is: Imagine victims. Do every part in your energy to maintain them protected. Do it shortly.
The worst situation on this case could be that it was a waste of time; the worst situation, if BRF isn’t carried out, is that one other lady is killed.
When there’s a bomb menace, you don’t wait to see if it’s true, solely to search out out it’s a hoax. You place the world on lockdown after which breathe a sigh of reduction when it doesn’t come to move.
When somebody is drowning and the lifeboat service known as, they don’t simply suppose, ‘oh, we’ll end this cup of tea, lads and get to it in a minute’, they know velocity is essential. Why don’t the police appear to?
They need to have put Bethany in entrance of a senior officer, who ought to have believed her. They need to have regarded up Paul Crowther and detained him after studying his historical past. They need to have gotten Bethany someplace protected.
For now, all I can put police’s failure to behave right down to is systemic misogyny; a tradition of not believing girls. It’s current in the way in which the burden of proof is placed on a girl to point out that she is a sufferer; to collate and catalogue the proof towards her abuser.
I would like affirmation now that issues are going to be completely different and that attitudes are going to vary. I might additionally prefer to see widespread coaching – in workplaces, hospitals, care houses, faculties – wherever the place weak individuals would possibly report abuse.
Telling Bethany’s story is extraordinarily exhausting however I’m decided to make her proud.
She was a loving, caring, protecting one that wished to assist everyone. I need her initials to go on to save lots of many, many, individuals’s lives sooner or later.
If she had acquired the assist she wanted, Bethany could be 27 now.
What retains me going is the hope that there’s something to the afterlife; that our spirits do dwell on and we’ll meet once more. I’ve to consider it.
Bethany didn’t come into this world – to be so intelligent, gifted and great – solely to have her life be ripped away.
I do know she is right here, nonetheless with me. And I’m decided to make her proud.
In response to request for remark, Chief Superintendent Jim Griffiths of Kirklees Police mentioned:
‘We’ve got met with Bethany’s dad and mom and apologised to them for our failings and the misplaced alternatives to guard their daughter. West Yorkshire Police absolutely accepted the report’s findings and people of the IOPC investigation following Bethany’s appalling loss of life.
‘All suggestions have been carried out and since 2019 the drive has developed and amended its strategy to home abuse in some ways.
‘Home abuse and harassment circumstances are reviewed each day in every of the drive’s districts. Investigators are additionally educated to establish and overview circumstances the place repeated incidents are occurring to evaluate the growing danger posed to victims by escalating behaviour.
‘This contains the requirement to think about threats to life assessments the place acceptable. We’re striving to make higher use of operational intelligence to scale back perpetrator offending and are working intently with colleagues in psychological well being companies to make sure all individuals obtain acceptable psychological well being assist, when it’s wanted most.
‘In 2023, the drive additionally educated greater than 3,000 members of workers to higher perceive how home abuse perpetrators search to coerce and management their victims. We’ve got continued with coaching programmes and frequently overview our personal processes for individuals who report home abuse.
‘Whereas we’re dedicated to continuous studying, we realise this gained’t convey again Bethany, who misplaced her life in really horrific circumstances.’
This text was initially printed April 2, 2025
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