Prison and health bosses to respond after hotel killing

Marta Elena Vento died in a 42-minute attack at the Travelodge where she worked

Prison, police and health bosses must respond to a coroner regarding the death of a woman killed by a sex offender who did not have medication for his mental illness.

Marta Elena Vento's death at a Travelodge in Bournemouth in December 2020 was caused by failures by prison health workers and police, Dorset coroner Rachael Griffin concluded last month.

She has now written to the Prison and Probation Service, NHS England, College of Policing, National Police Chiefs' Council and NHS Dorset.

They must outline any action taken or proposed after the case of Stephen Cole, who was given an indefinite hospital order in 2021 after he pleaded guilty to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility.

Mrs Griffin earlier concluded that Cole was left "unmedicated because of a failure to sufficiently plan and ensure continuity of mental healthcare... and because he was not adequately managed as a sex offender in line with national guidance upon his release from prison."

She sent her report to prevent future deaths to 10 parties, including Ms Elana Vento's family, Dorset Council, Dorset Police, Travelodge, HMP Winchester and the Ministry of Justice.

Cole pleaded guilty to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility

Cole, 32, originally from Reading, had a diagnosis of psychosis and a history of violence.

He was released from HMP Winchester with a four-week supply of antipsychotic medication on 27 October 2020.

A GP should have renewed the prescription at Cole's request on 8 December, the day before the attack, the inquest was told.

Ms Elena Vento's parents, Roser Vento Sancho and Luis Elena Blas, told the BBC that dealing with their loss had been "devastating".

"[Cole] is the one who committed the crime, but the blame lies with the whole chain of people, from the prison, who should never have let him out, to the last person who saw him," Mrs Vento Sancho said.

"When you hear people talk... and you know they could have done better... then that breaks you down.

"It has been devastating, like dying while still alive."

The authorities told to respond to Mrs Griffin must do so by early May.