Footpath renamed to honour woman killed by stalker

Gracie Spinks Way was unveiled by Gracie's father Richard on Friday

A footpath has been renamed in honour of a woman who was killed by her stalker.

Gracie Spinks, 23, was murdered by her former colleague Michael Sellers after she went to look after her horse on 18 June 2021. Sellers then killed himself.

Last year, a jury at her inquest found she was unlawfully killed, with Derbyshire Police apologising to her family over failings in the case.

The new signage - closed to where Miss Spinks was killed in Duckmanton, Derbyshire - was unveiled by her father Richard on Friday.

Miss Spinks, 23, was murdered in Duckmanton in Derbyshire on 18 June 2021

Several months before her death, Miss Spinks had made a report to police about Sellers being "obsessed" with her and waiting for her near to the same field where she died.

Two dog walkers also found a bag of weapons belonging to Sellers, but police did not investigate the bag and instead treated it as "found property".

Since Miss Spinks's death, her parents Richard Spinks and Alison Ward have campaigned for police forces to have improved training and procedures to deal with stalking.

Derbyshire Police has since has reviewed its training and set up a new stalking policy along with improved risk assessments.

The force has also reminded staff about the importance of note taking and record keeping, after the inquest found "serious failings" by the police.

Chesterfield MP Toby Perkins, who was also at the unveiling of the sign - funded by Staveley Town Council - said: "Poignant to be at the dedication of newly-named Gracie Spinks Way for the renaming of the Duckmanton to Poolsbrook footpath.

"Also [a] good opportunity to reflect on the progress that the Gracie's Law campaign has made to improve the way stalking is policed."