BIRSTALL MAN HANDED LIFE FOR STABBING EX-GIRLFRIEND TO DEATH AFTER POLICE FAILINGS
The mother of Bethany Fields, who was murdered by her ex-partner Paul Crowther, has spoken out about the tragedy.Bethany was fatally stabbed outside a pub where she worked in 2019 by Crowther, who was later described in court as a "manipulative, abusive and controlling man." She was subjected to weeks of abuse and threats before he ambushed her with a kitchen knife.
Bethany’s mother, Pauline Jones, has criticized West Yorkshire Police for failing to respond when she reported her ex for harassment and abuse, which she believes contributed to her daughter’s death.
Pauline recounted the moment she learned her daughter had died, saying: "Straight away, I said, 'is that Paul Crowther?' and they nodded.
And I said, 'she came to you, for help'.
They just put their heads down.
In that moment, I died." The investigation by Newsnight revealed that in cases of domestic homicide, West Yorkshire Police knew of nine women fearing for their safety from 2019 to 2023, including Bethany.
It was found that police had not conducted proper risk assessments when Bethany reported her abuse.
Crowther, aged 36 from Elm Way, Birstall, was handed a life sentence after admitting to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility in August 2020, with psychiatric reports stating he was fit to plead.
His plea was accepted due to his schizophrenia diagnosis, although he denied murder.
Crowther had been arrested nine times under the Mental Health Act but was never sectioned, and was previously involved in domestic incidents with other partners.
Following Bethany’s death, Crowther was detained indefinitely under section 45a of the Mental Health Act, receiving a life sentence with a minimum jail term of 12 years.
West Yorkshire Police acknowledged the failings and have since implemented new measures to better handle domestic violence cases, including developing a Domestic Abuse Offender Management model and reviewing risk assessment protocols.
The police expressed their condolences to Bethany’s family and assured ongoing commitment to improve policing responses to domestic abuse.
