THE brother of a North mother who was beaten to death by her boyfriend has walked 53 miles to raise money for a domestic violence charity.

Rebecca Kowal, 29, from West Tanfield, near Ripon, North Yorkshire, suffered 170 injuries at the hands of her partner, 47-year-old Robert Byrom.

He was jailed for life at Leeds Crown Court in January.

Miss Kowal’s brother, Andy Overton, a traffic officer with Cleveland Police, walked part of the Cleveland Way, between Helmsley and Saltburn, to raise money for Refuge, a charity which helps women and children who have been victims of domestic violence.

The walk took place over three days last week, around the anniversary of Miss Kowal’s murder, on May 8 last year.

He said: "I felt like I should have saved her from what position she was in.

"Statistically, a woman is subjected to domestic violence about 30 times before they actually do anything about it.

"We want to say the first time is too many times.

"There's no excuse for it. Don't accept it and do something about it.

"I want to try and make up and do something for her and this walk is in memory of Rebecca.

"I want to pay tribute to my beautiful and vibrant sister who was sadly murdered at the hands of her partner. "It’s one of those things that you think will never happen to someone you know, let alone someone as close as your sister.

"Since it happened, I have felt that I never did as much as I should have done when she was alive.

"I should have seen the signs and acted upon them.

"What makes it worse is that I am a ppolice officer and the police role is to take a positive stance against domestic violence.

"I feel that I have let her down, but now it’s too late."

Following the sentencing of Byrom, acting detective superintendent Alan Carey, of North Yorkshire Police, said: "Rebecca received in excess of 170 injuries that ultimately led to her unnecessary and untimely death.

"The fact that she received such extensive injuries from a man who she believed she could trust is incomprehensible."

Mr Overton said: "By raising funds for Refuge, I will be helping others faced with the same plight as Becca, raising awareness of the issue, and it will also be a way of honouring her memory."

To offer sponsorship, or for more details, call Mr Overton, on 07971-515345 or email andrewoverton@aol.com