Review of 'honour- based violence' after loving wife was murdered by husband

Jessica Patel was suffocated at her Middlesbrough home in May 2018 after enduring years of physical assaults and controlling behaviour from her husband Mitesh Patel. 

Now an independent probe has set out a raft of recommendations for public bodies in response to the tragedy – including better training staff in recognising “honour based violence” and more work to recognise signs of domestic abuse within “family owned” firms. 

Jessica had endured years of abuse at the hands of her husband before she was murdered at their home on The Avenue, in Linthorpe. 

A domestic homicide review found Patel had tried to present himself as a well-educated man who was a successful pharmacist and businessman.

In reality, he was a bully, a liar and domestic abuser who’d searched for how to kill Jessica and taken out several life insurance policies in her name. 

The remorseless killer had planned to murder Jessica and start a new life with his gay lover in Australia using £2m from insurance payouts.

He was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 30 years.  

A review commissioned by the Middlesbrough Community Safety Partnership was launched after the murder, with help from Jessica’s family. 

It has found Jessica’s relatives and work colleagues held pieces of information about the abuse she’d suffered – which may not have seemed significant in isolation but together showed a pattern of harm over the years. 

The probe also showed how she’d gone to her GP – telling how she was suffering anxiety and was under pressure as she couldn’t conceive. 

But there was no evidence she was asked whether she was experiencing domestic abuse. 

The review also found several employees working in the pharmacy had commented on the abusive behaviour they’d seen Mitesh – referred to as “Mayur” in the report – show towards Jessica.

It included shouting at her in front of customers, slamming doors and throwing objects. 

There was also information on how he had limited how much she could see her dying grandfather – and had attacked her physically on at least three occasions.

The report stated: “The domestic homicide review found ample evidence from colleagues who worked alongside the couple that *Mayur was a bully and treated Jessica in an appalling and humiliating way in front of them and customers. 

“Mayur was also an accomplished liar and the panel saw many examples of this behaviour.”

Domestic homicide reviews are independent probes into what lessons can be learned from deaths – and are not designed to find out how a victim died or assign blame.

In response to the tragedy, a number of recommendations have been drawn up which include finding better ways of sharing information, improved recognition of warning signs and better support for “diverse communities”. 

The recommendations included: Reviewing the effectiveness of information provided to family, friends, work colleagues and diverse communities about recognising the signs of domestic abuse and where they can go, if necessary anonymously, with such information.

Health agencies should ensure professionals are trained in recognising abuse, being alert to indicators and understanding the links between mental health and domestic abuse.

Agencies must review policies and training in relation to domestic abuse and recognise the barriers that victims of domestic abuse may face.

Agencies must review policies and training to recognise and respond to so-called “honour-based” violence.

NHS England to consider issuing guidance to GP practices to ensure patient care is not impacted upon by other pre-existing relationships.

The Home Office to help develop best practice for small family-owned and run businesses with guidance on how to deal with disclosures, suspicions or indicators of domestic abuse.

Cllr Mieka Smiles, chairwoman of the community safety partnership, said Jessica’s family had suffered a great deal.

The executive member for culture added: “We wish to express our sincerest condolences to them.

“We are also enormously grateful to them for their involvement in the review at such a difficult time.

“Their invaluable input has helped to paint a fuller picture of Jessica’s life, and gave her the voice – which was taken from her – to disclose the extent of abuse she suffered at the hands of her perpetrator.”

The probe found no statutory public agencies held any information on the abuse Mitesh had perpetrated in the lead up to Jessica’s murder. 

Cllr Smiles said there were lessons to be learned and work was underway to try to improve. 

The executive member for culture and communities added: “Jessica was not involved with many agencies prior to her death.

“But we learned that there is more that we can do both locally and nationally for victims of domestic abuse – specifically those from BAME (Black, Asian and minority ethnic) communities.

“That includes increasing understanding of “honour-based” violence and ensuring that family, friends, employers and the wider community know how to recognise the signs, report their concerns and support those in need.”

Honour based violence is broadly defined as being used to control behaviour within families to protect perceived cultural and religious beliefs or honour.

Report author Ged McManus paid tribute to the “fortitude” and “positive attitude” of Jessica’s family during the probe. 

Mr McManus added: “Jessica was not well known to services in Middlesbrough before her death.

“This report does not point to failures of services – but it does suggest ways in which services can be improved and the risk for other potential victims in the future can be reduced.

“I hope that her family can find some comfort in the fact that there will be improvements made as a result of the report.”

In a joint statement, Jessica’s family said: “We hope this review will help other victims, those closest to them and the wider public to recognise the various forms and signs of abuse and will remove any barriers, be it cultural or otherwise, to seeking help and getting the support they need.

“As a family this review was an extremely painful process but we recognise the importance of highlighting Jessica’s story to provide a voice for her and others that may be suffering in silence.

“So that this act of evil is not repeated, we encourage everyone to open their eyes, to ask questions and never assume everything is ok.”

*The report used the pseudonym “Mayur” in place of the name Mitesh.