Epsom killer's 'behaviour was coercive', say police

George Pattison killed his wife and daughter in February 2023

An allegation of assault by a man who went on to kill his wife and daughter at Epsom College was “clearly part” of his controlling behaviour, police have said.

George Pattison shot Emma Pattison and their seven-year-old daughter, Lettie, in February last year. Their bodies were found at their home on the school grounds, where Mrs Pattison was head teacher.

In 2016, Mr Pattison contacted police to say he had been assaulted by his wife. No action was taken due to a lack of evidence.

Surrey Police said that at the time it did not identify any abuse by Mr Pattison, but has now said the allegation he made against his wife was part of his controlling behaviour.

'Allegation was clearly abuse'

Ch Supt Clive Davies said: “The allegation of assault made by Mr Pattison against Mrs Pattison in 2016 was investigated thoroughly at the time and coercive controlling behaviour was not identified.

“Although Mrs Pattison never made any allegations of domestic abuse or coercive controlling behaviour against her husband, our understanding and response to coercive controlling behaviour is significantly more advanced now, and our officers and staff are trained to recognise the signs, the homicide timeline and high-risk factors.

“Looked at through the lens of what ultimately happened, the incident in 2016 was clearly part of Mr Pattison’s controlling behaviour.”

Ch Supt Davies said the deaths of Mrs Pattison and Lettie highlighted the need to dispel the myths and stereotypes of who may or may not be victims of domestic abuse, and those capable of doing it.

The statement by Surrey Police came in response to a prevention of future deaths report which found that Mr Pattison lied about his anxiety diagnosis in order to get his shotgun licence renewed.