Stoke-on-Trent mum searched jail terms on day she killed children

Stoke-on-Trent mum searched jail terms on day she killed children

A tragic event unfolded on 11 June 2023, when Veronique John carried out horrific acts against her own children at their family home in Stoke-on-Trent. Before calling the police to report the murders of her daughter Elizabeth, seven, and son Ethan, 11, Mrs. John had searched online for information on overdoses and prison sentences for murder. This chilling detail emerged at the inquest into the deaths of Elizabeth and Ethan John, shedding light on the events leading up to the heinous crime.

The inquest heard that just prior to the incident, Mrs. John had been released from custody after attacking her husband. Despite this violent act, consultant psychiatrist Dr. Gillian Bennett stated that Mrs. John did not meet the threshold of insanity at the time of the murders. After admitting to the police what she had done following the attack on her husband, it was evident that Mrs. John understood the nature of her actions and that they were wrong.

Tragically, Ethan John was stabbed 21 times, while his sister also suffered a fatal brain injury. Medical records revealed that Mrs. John had a history of mental health struggles, including complex post-traumatic stress disorder and a personality disorder, making her unfit to plead in court. Despite these challenges, Mrs. John’s actions on that fateful day shocked the community and left a devastating impact on all those involved.

The inquest further highlighted missteps by law enforcement, with Inspector Bruce Wilkinson admitting to errors in handling the case. Wilkinson acknowledged that a community resolution notice should not have been issued in a domestic violence case involving intimate partners, as was the case with Mrs. John and her husband. This revelation raised questions about the handling of domestic violence cases and the need for improved protocols to ensure the safety of all individuals involved. The inquest into the tragic deaths of Elizabeth and Ethan John continues, as the community grapples with the aftermath of this senseless tragedy

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