THE brother of a woman murdered by her violent partner has urged people to be aware of the signs of domestic abuse in support of a Valentine’s Day campaign.

Andrew Overton’s sister, Becca Overton, was killed in May 2008 by Robert Byrom, 47, of West Tanfield, Ripon, who was jailed for life for her murder.

Mr Overton, a police officer with Cleveland Police is supporting a campaign by North Yorkshire’s domestic abuse charity IDAS, to encourage people to be more aware of the signs of domestic abuse so they know where to get the support they, or family and friends, need.

IDAS has launched a Have a Heart campaign to coincide with Valentine’s Day and are asking people to download a healthy relationships Twibbon to their social media profile at http://twibbon.com/support/have-a-heart-3 and to use the hashtag #HaveAHeart.

Mr Overton said: “I know what it’s like to tell my sister’s friends and relations that she is no longer with us and I know what it’s like to see an eight-year-old girl, so devastated, so emotional and so much destroyed because she has lost her mother. This is not right, this is not fair.

“I saw the signs, I knew something was wrong but I wanted to believe that everything would be okay. I wanted to believe that she would come to me if there was anything wrong, but to be honest I didn’t know what to do.

“My message is quite simple – if there are signs of domestic abuse, if you suspect domestic abuse is happening, if you even think that someone may be affected by domestic abuse then pick up the phone, send an email, just get in touch with IDAS and listen to and act upon the advice the professionals at IDAS give you.”

Anyone worried for a friend or themselves can call IDAS on 03000-110 110 or visit; www.idas.org.u-