Gracie Spinks: Stalking victim's parents 'on mission' for change

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

The parents of a woman who was killed by her ex-colleague are "on a mission" to make national change in the way police forces respond to stalking.

Gracie Spinks, 23, was murdered by Michael Sellers, who later killed himself, in 2021.

The inquest into Miss Spinks' death concluded she was unlawfully killed.

The Home Office said it takes "stalking extremely seriously, which is why we have doubled the maximum sentence for stalking from five to 10 years".

Miss Spinks was killed by Sellers months after she had reported him to Derbyshire Police for stalking and harassing her.

Matthew Kewley, who led her inquest at Chesterfield Coroner's Court, has said there is a "postcode lottery" for stalking victims.

He said people in some parts of the UK do not get as much support and has asked the home secretary to take action.

He said this was because some areas do not have "stalking advocates" - which Miss Spinks' family have campaigned for with a petition calling for Gracie's law.

Her parents, Richard Spinks and Alison Ward, who spoke to BBC Breakfast on Wednesday in their first live interview since the inquest, said they want to see all police forces reacting the same.

Mrs Ward told BBC Breakfast the inquest "really highlighted the failings" of Derbyshire Police.

Her parents, who attended the inquest every day, described listening to what the force "didn't do regarding the investigation" as "heart-breaking".

Mrs Ward added: "We do personally as a family hold them responsible for our daughter's death. We have now got certain answers and have to take that forward."

Richard Spinks says he "feels like Gracie is pushing us along"

Derbyshire Police has previously admitted failing Miss Spinks, who was murdered by Sellers after he became obsessed with her.

The force has apologised and asked to speak to Miss Spinks' parents.

Mr Spinks said they would be willing to meet them.

He said: "Anything that furthers the cause and makes them stand up, makes a difference, and makes some changes across the country is what we want to do.

"We're open to anything. We are on a mission now. I feel like Gracie is pushing us along saying 'dad, do this' because that's the way she was."

Mr Spinks added: "We want to see all police forces, not a postcode lottery, reacting the same. If somebody makes a stalking report in London, it should be the same in Leeds, Aberdeen, Plymouth, wherever.

"I don't know why they can't all do the same and have the same procedures in place to deal with stalking so that the police officers are duly trained and know how to cope and what to do."

Miss Spinks had complained to e-commerce firm Xbite about supervisor Michael Sellers

A government spokesperson said: "We introduced a new civil order to protect victims of stalking, and also provided funding for police-led projects to tackle the behaviour of stalkers and thereby provide greater protection to victims.

"The Home Secretary has received the Prevention of Future Deaths report from the Coroner, Mathew Kewley, and will provide a response in due course."