A chilling inquest into the murder of Kelly Wilkinson has revealed a disturbing pattern of missed opportunities by the police in addressing her domestic violence complaints. The 27-year-old mother of three was brutally stabbed and set alight outside her home in April 2021, and her estranged husband, Brian Earl Johnston, is serving a life sentence for the heinous crime. The Southport Coroners Court is examining the police's response to Wilkinson's complaints in the weeks leading up to her death, and the subsequent changes made by Queensland Police.
The inquest has shed light on a concerning incident where Wilkinson visited the Southport Police Station to report Johnston's breach of a temporary protection order. However, the officer logged it as a 'street check', which is not suitable for domestic violence matters. Detective Inspector Paul Fletcher emphasized that street checks can 'get lost in the system' and are not referred to by the vulnerable person's unit, highlighting a potential gap in the police's response.
Furthermore, the court heard that Johnston was 'incorrectly' granted bail when he attended the police station charged with raping Wilkinson. Under Queensland's bail act, he should have been remanded in custody for a magistrate to hear the matter. This oversight could have potentially altered the outcome for Wilkinson.
Despite these missed opportunities, Detective Inspector Fletcher acknowledged that the police were 'following procedures' at the time. However, he also outlined several changes made by Queensland Police in the wake of Wilkinson's tragic death. Everyone in the Gold Coast's Domestic, Family Violence, and Vulnerable Persons Unit now undergoes a five-day specialist course to enhance their skills in handling domestic and family violence cases.
Additionally, officers are now required to check the police database for further context when assessing risk and work through each risk factor with the complainant. This 'holistic' approach aims to address the complex nature of domestic violence and ensure a more comprehensive understanding of the situation. The inquest continues, with the court scheduled to conclude on Thursday, leaving many questions and a call for further discussion on the police's response to domestic violence cases.
