The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched an investigation into the tragic incident involving Jacob Cloke, a suspect in the hostage-taking and fatal shooting of his ex-partner, Hayley Burke. Burke, a 36-year-old mother of two, lost her life in Dartford over the coronation weekend. Cloke, 29, allegedly held her at gunpoint during a standoff with the police.
Disturbingly, it has been revealed that Cloke, a known domestic abuse offender, was on bail at the time of the attack. Court records indicate multiple charges of violence against Burke, including assault and causing bodily harm, spanning from February 2022 to the previous month. Cloke pleaded not guilty to these charges on April 26, and despite facing bail conditions, he was released.
The conditions of bail included orders not to contact Burke or enter Dartford, with a request for a GPS-enabled electronic tag to monitor Cloke's movements. Shockingly, on May 6, Cloke allegedly breached these conditions by going to Dartford. The details regarding whether the police were alerted to this breach through tag monitoring processes remain unclear.
Tragically, Burke suffered a gunshot wound to the head on May 6 and succumbed to her injuries two days later. Cloke, who also sustained gunshot wounds, died five days after the incident. The police asserted that they did not fire any weapons, treating Burke's death as murder.
The IOPC investigation aims to ascertain whether police inaction may have contributed to Burke's death and if there were missed opportunities to safeguard her. The circumstances surrounding the shooting are also under scrutiny. Kent police made a mandatory referral to the IOPC immediately after the incident.
The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed that they had requested an electronic tag to keep Cloke out of Dartford during his first appearance on April 26. However, they emphasized that monitoring bail conditions was not their responsibility, deferring any breaches to the police.
The inquest into Burke's death was adjourned, with a full hearing scheduled for October. A separate inquest for Cloke's death will be conducted later. In the aftermath of the shooting, tributes were left outside Burke's home, and her family requested privacy to grieve. Friends remembered Burke as a caring and outgoing person who devoted herself to her children.
This tragic case highlights the critical role of law enforcement in safeguarding victims of domestic abuse and raises questions about the effectiveness of monitoring systems in place to prevent such incidents. The IOPC's investigation is crucial in shedding light on potential shortcomings in the handling of this case and ensuring accountability for any lapses that may have occurred.
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