A senior coroner has stated that the state "failed" in its duty to protect Natasha Hill, an 18-year-old who was murdered by her 40-year-old abusive partner, Scott Clifford. Hill died on April 15, 2018, after suffering a brutal attack that left her with a fractured skull and black eyes at Clifford's home in Thamesmead, south-east London.
Clifford initially called for an ambulance, claiming Hill had fallen down the stairs. However, paramedics observed him attempting to wash his clothes, raising suspicions that contributed to his later conviction for murder and three other assaults. He was sentenced to a minimum of 17 years in prison.
A report sent to the Home Office, the National Police Chiefs' Council, and the Department for Education by senior coroner Dr. Julian Morris identified significant gaps in safeguarding measures for Hill after she reached adulthood. Clifford had a history of domestic violence and had been subject to a child abduction warning notice due to the high risk assessed for Natasha. This notice, however, lapsed upon her 18th birthday.
Less than a week after turning 18, Hill moved in with Clifford. Dr. Morris noted that Hill sustained ongoing and escalating injuries, requiring hospital treatment, particularly after she turned 18. Police attempts to locate Clifford were unsuccessful.
Hill had been in care from a young age before moving to semi-independent living, where she was groomed by Clifford. Clifford's account of her death, blaming a fall down the stairs after drinking, was contradicted by the severity of her injuries.
Dr. Morris, who led the inquest into Hill's death, warned that further fatalities could occur if systemic changes are not implemented. He recommended that teenagers approaching 18 should undergo formal reviews by adult safeguarding teams. The coroner also suggested the creation of specialized young person's teams to manage the transition from 18 to 22 and the development of a warning notice system applicable to individuals over 18. Furthermore, he called for a unified national policy for policing and child sexual exploitation.
In response, the Home Office stated that combating violence against women and girls is a government priority and that efforts are underway to establish a consistent, victim-centered approach to child sexual exploitation. The National Police Chiefs' Council acknowledged that the support provided to Hill had been fragmented and that her movement between local authority and policing areas presented challenges. They noted that current safeguarding practices would differ significantly, recognizing that vulnerability and exploitation do not end at adulthood.
The Department for Education indicated that work is in progress to improve transitions into adult social care and to enhance integration across different local areas.
