Barry Christopher Spooner · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On 10 July 2023 an inquest was opened into the death of Barry Christopher Spooner, aged 74. The inquest concluded on 17th June 2025. I made a determination at inquest that he died as a result of unlawful killing.

Mr Spooner engaged with the police on 7 occasions between 25 May 2021 and 15 May 2023 following concerns raised by himself, and others, about a female. Concerns included that she was exploiting him for his money in order to buy drugs. Officers who liaised with him for incidents on 27 August 2021, 10 September 2021, 15 October 2021 and 15 May 2023 completed Public Protection Notices (PPNs) and submitted them to the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH). Of those that were submitted, three were referred onwards to Adult Social Care, but that from 15 October 2021 was not.

The Probation Service engaged with the female during the same period up until 22 January 2023. I heard evidence about the manner in which she was managed by the probation service.

Mr Spooner was exploited financially by the female until his death, and she made efforts to access his bank account, most probably after he had died. He was found in his home address having been murdered by the female.

1. Insufficient information sharing from Nottinghamshire Police to the Local Authority in the event of a public protection concern.

I heard evidence about the new Vulnerability Policy followed by the police in order to try to improve information sharing between organisations. I was told that when a PPN is completed and sent to the MASH it is considered by an experienced officer who decides whether or not to refer it on to Adult Social Care for their consideration. If they decide not to refer onwards then the officer will consider all PPNs from the previous 12 months. If this review causes them to change their opinion then the current PPN and the previous PPNs will be referred onwards. This ensures Adult Social Care has all relevant information to help them decide upon the best course of action.

In accordance with the Vulnerability Policy, it was explained to me that when a PPN is considered suitable for referral to Adult Social Care straight away then previous PPNs are not reviewed and sent on to Adult Social Care if they have not already had them. This means that in a scenario where there have been previous PPNs that have not been provided to Adult Social Care, then that team will not be aware of all of the relevant information when considering the referral from the MASH and the most appropriate course of action.

This may impact upon Adult Social Care’s ability to make a proper decision in such cases and may put vulnerable people at more of a risk depending upon whether previous PPNs have been provided to Adult Social Care, or not.