Lousia Ovington independent investigation report ... - NHS North East

there was “some latitude” in this, although some staff would operate this policy more
rigidly than others. In the panel’s view, the fact that someone has a primary diagnosis of
alcohol dependency does not mean that they do not have mental health problems. This
question of when psychological/emotional difficulties etc constitute a mental disorder
that warrants treatment by secondary mental health services and when they do not,
is an issue that is common to many mental health services. In this case there was clear
evidence that Louisa Ovington had significant mental health difficulties. It appears to
the panel that the issue at this point was more about the difficulty in engaging her. It
may well have been appropriate that the CRT did not work with her, as their role would
have been short term and Louisa Ovington needed long term consistent input. She
should, however, have been allocated a care coordinator from the CMHT.
161. On 11 June 2004 Louisa Ovington was convicted at South Durham Magistrates
of a public order offence 54 .
162. On 16 June 2004 the police received a report that Louisa Ovington had stabbed
Mr Hilton. There was no evidence of this but she and Mr Hilton were visited and
warned by the police. The police records noted that they were two people in very
volatile relationship and the police feared that “one day one will seriously assault the
other”.
163. On 18 June 2004 Louisa Ovington told Hartlepool social services that she was
fleeing violence; she had bruises and was not drunk. She was offered temporary
accommodation. On the same date it is reported that she presented at the police
station “frightened of Mr Hilton”.
164. On 25 June 2004 Louisa Ovington was arrested for being drunk and disorderly 55 .
She was due to appear in court on 2 July 2004 for a previous drunk and disorderly
offence; the pre-sentence report noted escalating domestic problems and domestic
violence but the risk assessment that was carried out at the same time did not note
any previous history of offences with weapons (this was clearly incorrect).
165. In July 2004 Louisa Ovington’s disturbed behaviour escalated further. Police
reports note that:
54 6th conviction
55 10th offence
56 7th conviction
CHAPTER 1 - NARRATIVE OF KEY DATES AND EVENTS
i. On 1 July 2004 she reported that she was frightened of Mr Hilton and was taken
to a refuge;
ii. On 6 July 2004 she reported to the police (untruthfully) that Mr Hilton was at
her house and that she wanted him removed. When warned about the misuse
of 999 calls she said she would ‘kill (Mr Hilton) to sort her problems out’;
iii. On 12 July 2004 she was fined £30 for the public order offence of 5 June
2004; 56
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