Police probe after Sarah Miles was allegedly killed by partner Dwayne John Creighton in Casino home
Bail has been refused for the accused killer of a mother of three, as Police Minister Yasmin Catley answers criticism of police response times in a fiery TV interview.
Police & Courts
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NSW Police has ordered an independent review in response to the alleged murder of a mother of three by her partner in the state’s north.
Concerns have been raised after the body of Casino mother Sarah Miles was discovered by police at her Johnston St home on Saturday morning, more than an hour after a triple-0 call was made reporting screams at the property.
Her partner, Dwayne John Creighton, was arrested and charged with murder shortly after.
On Monday morning, Creighton, 31, was not required to appear at Lismore Local Court.
Creighton did not apply, but bail was denied anyway by Magistrate Michael Dakin.
A pair of women understood to be related to Ms Miles, and a man supporting them, were present in the courtroom. They sat in the front row of the public gallery and appeared to weep as they were provided with tissues.
An application for an order to carry out forensic procedures is due before the court on July 8.
Creighton’s case has been adjourned to August 28.
RESPONSE TIMES SCRUTINY
The matter hit the local court as NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley ordered an independent review into the response, then engaged in a fiery exchange with Sunrise host Nat Barr on Monday.
“We set up an independent review immediately. We also know that there will be a coronial investigation into this incident and the LEC is there, the law enforcement conduct commission, to ensure everything is looked at and looked at forensically,” Ms Catley said.
“We do not want this to happen again. We want to make sure that the independent review is undertaken extensively so we can ensure and assure the community that when they call the police they will come.”
Nat Barr replied saying: “There are inquiries into all of them (deaths), every week, and they keep happening again.”
Ms Catley responded by highlighting the commitment to prevent future incidents and ensure public trust.
“We need to investigate that thoroughly to make sure that this doesn’t happen again,” she said.
“We want people to know that if they call triple-0 and let me just put it in context, 750,000 calls a year, 2000 calls a day, we want to make sure people have the confidence that when they call, police will come.”
“Yep, but they don’t,” said Barr.
“This was logged as a priority three, instead of a priority one, how on Earth can that happen when we know that a woman is dying at least once a week?”
“Well clearly something has gone wrong here and we need to make sure that this investigation is thorough and we get to the bottom of it, and if there’s a glitch in the system we’ll fix it,” replied Minister Catley.
TRIBUTES FLOW FOR ‘COMPASSIONATE’ MOTHER
The mother of three who was allegedly killed by her partner in the state’s north, has been remembered by family and friends as a “smart and talented” woman who “loved her kids”, as a man charged with murder faces court and homicide detectives investigate.
A relative of Ms Miles – who was understood to be in her 40s, said the mother of three was “a compassionate person”.
“She was a very smart lady. She loved her kids,” the woman who wished not to be named said.
“She did not deserve this.
“It’s absolutely soul crushing and devastating.”
Ms Miles’ family said they would like to thank members of the community who had shared their condolences, following the news of her death.
“Sarah was a loving, talented and compassionate person,” they said in a combined statement.
“She made an impact on everyone she met.
“This is tragic and an unbelievable loss for her children and family who she loved dearly.
“Sarah will be missed by many people and we ask that you give the family some privacy in this tragic time.”
The response from officers will now be scrutinised in a critical incident investigation launched by NSW Police, with relatives describing the delay as “disgraceful.”
“It’s disgraceful police not responding when they should have,” the relative said.
NSW Assistant Commissioner Peter McKenna said the triple-0 call concerning the alleged domestic violence was made just after 1.30am on Saturday.
But police did not acknowledge the call until 2.25am and arrived at the scene two minutes later.
The Daily Telegraph understands the triple-0 call was categorised as a priority three, meaning police did not go to the Johnston St address immediately.
It is understood officers would have responded immediately had the incident been categorised as a higher priority incident.
“Upon attendance, they found a woman unconscious with obvious injuries to her head,”, Mr McKenna said.
“Unfortunately, her condition deteriorated and she died at the scene. The delay has given me enough concern that I have asked for an independent investigation.
“What (police) were doing prior to that and what other jobs there were will form part of that investigation.”
Friend of Ms Miles – Kirsty Lee, said she was still in shock after hearing her best friend had been allegedly murdered.
“I can’t believe this has happened,” she said.
“Sarah you were my best friend I always cared about you and your kids. I’ll always remember you from our school days.
“You’re one beautiful lady, I miss you so much.
“I wish this was a dream rest in peace my beautiful friend Sarah always loved never forgotten.”
On Saturday night, 31-year-old Creighton, was charged with one count of murder and faced Lismore Bail Court vial audiovisual link on Sunday morning.
He did not apply for bail, and it was formally refused, with Creighton to reappear in court on Monday.
Homicide detectives will investigate why the call was given a lower priority ranking and how long it took police to get to the scene after the triple-0 call.
The incident will also be investigated by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission.
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