Lucy Sessions death: Mum criticises police punishment

Lucy Sessions was a "caring, gentle person", her mother Lesley Gordon said

A mother has criticised the punishments given to two officers found guilty of misconduct after her daughter's death.

Police went to Lucy Sessions' home in Aylesbury following a call that she was threatening to kill herself.

The officers heard her snoring and were unable to wake her, so left "believing there was no risk to life". She was found dead when they returned later.

Ms Sessions' mother Lesley Gordon said the disciplinary action "was just like having a chat over a cup of tea".

"It was brushed over," she added.

The officers faced "management action" for misconduct after an Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) probe.

Thames Valley Police said it had made changes following the "tragic case".

Lucy was a keen musician and would sing and play her own music

The officers visited 22-year-old Ms Sessions' home on 18 August 2017 following a call that she was threatening to kill herself, the watchdog said.

They left after failing to wake her but returned four hours later and could not hear her snoring.

The two officers tried to enter but did not have an enforcer - a forcible entry tool.

Medics pronounced Ms Sessions dead soon after police gained entry.

'Disappointed'

The IOPC found both officers had a case to answer for misconduct, for breaches of professional standards.

The first officer was found to have committed misconduct for failing to ensure they had the correct equipment ready to gain entry.

The second was found to have committed misconduct for failing to prompt the other officer to ensure they had the correct equipment.

Ms Gordon, 52, said she was "disappointed" in the officers.

"If you heard someone snoring through a double glazed window and could only see their feet and could not wake them, why would you walk away?" she said.

A coroner recorded a narrative verdict into Lucy's death

IOPC regional director Sarah Green said: "The actions of some of the officers and staff involved fell below the standard expected."

A Thames Valley Police spokesman said the force had "now made enforcers readily available at Aylesbury police station".

"Further, our armed response vehicles and proactive roads policing vehicles both now carry enforcers at all times," he said.

An inquest into Ms Sessions' death delivered a narrative conclusion. The cause of her death could not be conclusively explained.