Probation services ignored ‘several warning signs’ that could have stopped the murder of a mother-of-six, a damning report has revealed.
Janet Scott, from Arnold, Nottingham, was murdered on a city street by her former lover Simon Mellors, who had also killed his previous partner in 1999.
Mellors had beat Pearl Black, 36, with an iron bar at her Bramcote home and then strangled her while her two young children slept next door.
Ms Black had taken out two restraining orders against him and moved into a refuge during their 10-year relationship, the review panel found out.
He was released on licence in 2014 and struck up a relationship with Mrs Scott in April 2017.
Janet Scott, from Arnold, Nottingham, was murdered on a city street by her former lover Simon Mellors, who had also killed his previous partner in 1999
Family members of 51-year-old Mrs Scott have now released a document which reviews the case.
The domestic homicide review released by Gedling Borough Council says the National Probation Service ‘failed completely in its duty to involve other agencies in managing the risk he posed to women’.
The report says that had killer been ‘managed effectively’ there was ‘a strong likelihood that he would not have been at liberty to murder’ Mrs Scott.
Janet’s heartbroken sister, Sue Thomson, 61, of Carlton, said: ‘This report shows that Janet should not have lost her life.
‘They say they have learnt from their mistakes but it is still happening all over the country. The probation service has cost people their lives.
‘I don’t believe anyone will be at peace. I don’t think anyone will get over this.’
Mellors bragged about owning two villas in Spain and being in charge of his own business to lure Mrs Scott into a relationship.
Simon Mellors was released on licence in 2014 and struck up a relationship with Mrs Scott in April 2017. Mellors took his life at Strangeways Prison in Manchester while awaiting his court date
But the reality was the former market trader, who had served 11 years for killing his previous partner, was actually looking for work after being released from prison.
Family describe Mrs Scott as a vulnerable mother-of-six who was searching for her soul mate, or what she used to call ‘her equal’.
The former NHS worker, who later worked at a Lidl supermarket, met Mellors at a Nottingham bar but she did not know about his dark past.
Family said his controlling behaviour coupled with his murder conviction – which he was told to disclose by his probation officer – meant she struggled to sustain a relationship with him.
Murder victims Janet Scott (left) and Pearl Black.Simon Mellors murdered Pearl Black in 1999 and killed Janet Scott in 2018
The review panel states he had even tattooed her name across his chest and demanded she do the same, even trying to gain employment at the same Lidl supermarket.
She even asked probation ‘whether he would kill again’, with the answer given as ‘no one knows.’
Despite rejection being a trigger for Mellors’ meltdowns, the review panel found there were three other women in his life on his release from prison before Mrs Scott – and their safety was also not effectively considered.
The review panel states: ‘They were very dangerous times for all these women but a stark lack of structure and focus on the part of the offender manager meant that he was in effect able to act with impunity.’
Mrs Scott ended their relationship, but despite concerned calls to the probation service that Mellors was presenting frightening signs – such as following her to work at 4am – nothing was done.
On January 29, 2018, Mellors drove to Mrs Scott’s home, stabbed her, and then managed to bundle her into his car. He drove her into the city centre but she managed to escape.
He then drove his car at speed into Mrs Scott and a council worker who had rushed to her aid.
She died in Peel Street while the council worker suffered serious injuries but has since recovered.
Simon Mellors, of Carrington, was charged with murder as well as the attempted murder of a 35-year-old man in relation to the incident at 10.10am on Monday, January 29, 2017.
Mellors took his life a month later at Strangeways Prison in Manchester while awaiting his court date.
The panel said a suicide note was written before Mrs Scott was murdered.
It contained £1,500 in cash and mentioned a black folder, which allegedly contained documents to help ‘clear up his mess’.
The prison service, despite being contacted on three separate occasions by the review panel, have not responded to the panel’s request for information.
The panel said it was ‘extremely disappointed’.
The 12-person panel, which is made up of key figures from the police, probation, county council, and health service, reviewed the case at Gedling Borough Council offices.
None of them knew or had any involvement with Janet Scott.
Chair of the panel Paul Johnston said in the report’s conclusion: ‘There were numerous occasions when clear evidence of an increase in the risk of Adult A (Simon Mellors) causing serious harm to intimate female partners were overlooked by the National Probation Service.
‘The service was aware of the circumstances surrounding the murder in 1999 yet they did not recognise he was increasingly behaving in the same way while on life licence.
‘He consistently pushed the boundaries as far as complying with his licence conditions was concerned.
‘When he failed to comply with them, sanctions were not imposed nor was he warned of the possible consequences should further breaches occur.’
They said he had ‘at least four intimate relationships with women’ and only chose to declare their existence after several weeks which was in breach of his licence.
The report stated: ‘The National Probation Service failed completely in its duty to involve other agencies in managing the risk he posed to women.
‘Warning signs were ignored.’
The report states that mandatory training to all staff has been given since Mrs Scott’s death to increase awareness of coercive and controlling behaviour.
Staff are also being required to discuss these types of cases with a line manager.
The Ministry of Justice, which manages the probation service, said: ‘This was a truly awful crime and our thoughts remain with the victim their family and friends.
‘We apologise sincerely for the unacceptable failings that have been identified and Nottinghamshire Probation Service has taken a number of steps to avoid a repeat of this case.
‘They have recruited 16 new staff, provided new training for officers on coercive control and stalking and have accepted all of the recommendations from the MAPPA Serious Case Review.
‘NPS Midlands took immediate disciplinary action in relation to the member of staff responsible for this case.’
An inquest into Janet Scott’s death will be held this year.