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Confidence in the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has been deeply undermined following the handling of the murder case of Katie Simpson, according to the chairman of Stormont’s justice committee. Katie, a 21-year-old showjumper from Tynan in County Armagh, died in August 2020. Initially, her death was treated as a suicide, but subsequent investigations revealed that she had been groomed and murdered by Jonathan Creswell, a showjumping trainer and partner of Katie’s sister. Creswell was charged with her murder but took his own life shortly after the trial began in 2024.
A recent review exposed significant institutional failings within the PSNI, highlighting “institutional misogyny” and systemic errors in the way Katie’s case was handled. The report noted that police disproportionately trusted Creswell’s version of events and failed to seriously consider abuse or coercive control as part of their investigation. Warning signs and Katie’s lived experience were overlooked, leading to a catastrophic failure in protecting her. Paul Frew, DUP MLA and chairman of the justice committee, described the review as “absolutely astounding” and said many had been failed by the system. He emphasized the need for stronger safeguarding measures and greater accountability within the police force, noting that six officers were found guilty of misconduct but only one received a written warning, with others allowed to retire.
Former specialist PSNI domestic abuse officer Nuala Lappin, who had previously dealt with Creswell during his 2010 imprisonment for assaulting an ex-partner, described him as a “Jekyll and Hyde character,” dangerous and narcissistic. The review also revealed that 37 other victims, including children, later came forward alleging abuse by Creswell. Abi Lyle, Creswell’s ex-partner, stressed the importance of creating an environment where victims feel safe to report abuse. Speaking on the Nolan Show, she remarked on the scale of overlooked abuse and urged urgent learning from this tragedy to prevent further suffering and loss of life.
The review led by Dr Jan Melia called for urgent cultural change within the PSNI, warning that misogyny within policing increases risks to women. PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Davy Beck acknowledged the force’s failures and admitted that they fell short of expected standards. Justice Minister Naomi Long pointed out that multiple agencies, including social services and health services, also failed Katie, and warned against focusing blame solely on the PSNI. Victims of Crime Commissioner Geraldine Hanna expressed profound concern that the issues highlighted by the review echo problems found in previous domestic homicide cases, indicating a slow pace of learning and improvement. She added that police training on coercive control remains inadequate, underscoring the need for continued reform
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