NORWICH MAN JAILED FOR LIFE AFTER BRUTAL DOMESTIC HOMICIDE
Joe Storey, 28, from Norwich, was found guilty of murder after he battered his former partner, Kerri McAuley, 32, to death in January 2017.A report revealed he smashed her skull "like a mosaic" and then took a selfie with her blood smeared on his face.
Prior to the attack, Kerri had expressed fears for her safety, telling her friend she believed Storey was "going to kill her" and even told police she thought Storey would kill her during a July 2016 attack.
The court heard that Storey had a long history of domestic violence, attacking partners since 2008, and at the time of the killing, three restraining orders were in place to keep him away from his ex-partners.
Despite these measures, he continued his violent behavior, and a domestic homicide review highlighted "massive" failings by authorities, including probation services that did not fully recognize his risk.
The report also stated that Storey's "true risk" might have been underestimated because his crimes were often less serious on paper, like minor assaults.
Judge found that Storey was jailed for a minimum of 24 years for his brutal attack and subsequent actions.
After the assault, he failed to alert anyone and viewed violent pornography, while drug use was involved.
Kerri's family, devastated by her death, expressed anger at the system, noting opportunities missed to prevent her murder.
Storey was sentenced at Norwich Crown Court, and her body was discovered by her mother and brother.
Her mother, Lesley, voiced her dismay, stating, "I'm absolutely devastated.
I feel that opportunities were missed.
One of my main things is where was the communication between the authorities?
That's quite a huge thing, the communication between probation, the police and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), where was it to safeguard my daughter?"
