A MUM-OF-FOUR who died after her partner alleged that he had found her hanging in his bathroom, was unlawfully killed, a coroner has ruled.
Almost two years after the death of Sarah Lamb, an inquest at Warwickshire Justice Centre has heard that the 42-year-old died as a result of ‘compression of the neck due to a chokehold or ligature’.
Sarah, who was known by her maiden name, Smith, died at the Alexandra Hospital, Redditch on September 23, 2022, after being admitted into intensive care following a domestic incident at the property of her on-off partner Paul Hart in Alauna Avenue.
Assistant coroner for Coventry and Warwickshire, Deborah Sewell said: “I am satisfied by the evidence provided that suicide is not an appropriate conclusion” and that “on the balance of probabilities that Sarah’s death was a result of a criminal offence being committed.”
On the day of the attack, September 18, Hart, 45, was arrested for GBH, false imprisonment and coercive control. However, there was not enough evidence at the time to charge him.
He was subsequently arrested for Sarah’s murder on October 13, 2022, but again, police did not have enough evidence to press for a prosecution. Just over six weeks later he took his own life.
A forensic pathology report surmised that Sarah died from ‘global brain ischemia’ – a lack of oxygen to all areas of the brain. It also recorded that she had 21 bruises on her lower limbs and an unexplained scald injury to her left leg.
The conclusion came after a three-hour hearing which heard witness testimony from the Major Investigation Unit of Warwickshire Police about the detailed and lengthy inquiry into the exact circumstances of Sarah’s death which only concluded in April this year.
In her evidence to the court, DCI Collette O’Keefe said they were not looking for anyone else in connection with the matter and that there was no evidence to suggest that Sarah planned to take her own life.
She said that Hart, who was trained in martial arts and had assaulted his previous partner, “made it look like Sarah had hanged herself” and added that “a choke hold would be simple for [him] to administer”.
The inquest which closed on August 16, was told about the ‘toxic’ and turbulent nature of the pair’s relationship which was exacerbated by drink and drug taking.
Post-mortem toxicology reports, however, showed that there was nothing significant to suggest that Sarah had taken an overdose.
In court, Sarah was described by older sister Rachel Avery as a “loving, caring and kind-hearted person who would give you the last five pounds in her purse.”
She told the coroner that in the days prior to the attack, the Dolly Parton fan was in ‘high spirits’ preparing for a family barbeque to celebrate her mother’s birthday.
Sammy Lamb, Sarah’s son provided harrowing witness testimony that detailed finding handwritten notes at home after her death which described how she had been locked in a room at Alauna Avenue with no food, water, or phone for weeks at a time.
He said how she had hugged both him and his younger brother during fleeting home visits. “She told us how much she loved us and that she wished she could spend more time with us.”
There was palpable relief all around from Sarah’s mother, siblings and sons who had attended the hearing when assistant coroner Deborah Sewell announced her conclusion and thanked the police for their thorough and lengthy investigation.
She also gave her sincere condolences to the family.
After the verdict, Mr Lamb told the Standard: “We’ve got the answer we wanted but it doesn’t make it any easier. It’s a relief that we now know what happened instead of everyone just saying things.”
He acknowledged that with Hart not alive to stand a criminal trial, this was the closest the family was going achieve, regarding justice for his mother.
Mrs Avery extended her thanks to the ICU staff at the Alexandra for their care of her sister and the family following the tragedy.
She also acknowledged Warwickshire Police for all their support during the long investigation.
She said: “They were absolutely, brilliant and went above and beyond supporting us as a family.
“Sarah was a beautiful mother, sister, aunt and grandmother, and not a day goes by when we don’t think about her.
“We know that we won’t get the justice she deserves, and sitting in court was the hardest thing to endure, especially listening to what he had done and knowing that she would have suffered.
“She will be in our hearts and minds forever – he will never be able to take that about from us.”
Anyone needing support regarding domestic abuse can call the free 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247 (run by Refuge) or see womensaid.org.uk for additional support and advice.
