A sports therapist brutally killed by her partner after years of domestic abuse was failed by the justice system, a Fife MSP has claimed.
Labour’s justice spokesperson, Claire Baker, has called for more to be done to protect victims like Jennifer Edwards after it emerged police had logged 84 domestic incidents involving boyfriend William Marshall during their five year relationship.
Mrs Baker claimed specialist domestic abuse courts would ensure victims received the safety they deserved.
Marshall’s campaign of abuse came to an end in the most tragic of ways in June last year when Jennifer died during a horrific attack in her home in Kirkcaldy.
Forty-three-year-old Marshall, from Cowdenbeath, then calmly watched football on television as her corpse lay nearby in the blood-stained flat.
He was originally charged with murder but admitted culpable homicide during a court appearance on Thursday.
It was revealed Jennifer, 45, had previously told a friend she feared he would eventually kill her.
Mrs Baker, MSP for mid Scotland and Fife, said “The system has failed Jennifer Edwards with tragic consequences.
“This cannot and must not be allowed to happen again.
“We need a system that ensures victims receive the protection and safety they deserve.”
The MSP first called for the introduction of domestic abuse courts across Scotland as an amendment to a new law proposed by justice minister Michael Matheson last month.
The Scottish Government wants to create a specific offence of domestic abuse, which would include psychological abuse.
Around 60,000 incidents of domestic abuse are reported in Scotland each year, 79% of which involve a male perpetrator against a female victim.
Mr Matheson said the creation of a new offence would help the criminal justice system deal more effectively with domestic abusers and allow better access to justice for victims.
Statistics released earlier this week show that of the domestic abuse reports to police in the last year, almost half of victims and accused had been involved in previous incidents.
Mrs Baker said: “Domestic abuse is a violent and psychological crime that can devastate families and homes across Scotland.
“Yet we know that only half of domestic abuse incidents result in a crime or offence and there are serious concerns about persistent and repeat offenders.”
She added: “It is clear we need to do more to tackle domestic abuse in Scotland.”
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “Responsibility for the management of cases through the courts including consideration of the introduction of domestic abuse courts rests with the Lord President and Sheriffs Principal.
“The Scottish Government is happy to work with justice partners in assessing what may be best in terms of ensuring access to justice and support for domestic abuse victims in different parts of the country.
“Scottish Ministers have no locus of control over court programmes.
“However, we are committed to tackling and eradicating violence against women and girls and last year announced an additional dedicated £20 million over the period 2015-18 to be invested a range of measures to tackle all forms of this type of violence.”
