Sherrie Milnes from Weymouth killed by 'obsessed' ex-partner

Emergency services were called to a flat in Ranelagh Road, Weymouth, on April 1, 2021, where Sherrie Milnes, 51, was found dead with 'violent' neck compression and multiple stab wounds. 

Later that day, her former partner of eight years, Steven Doughty, 54, was found dead at his home in Grove Road, Portland. A separate inquest into his death heard that he took his own life by hanging.

A full inquest into Ms Milnes' death was held at Dorset Coroners Court in Bournemouth today (Wednesday, June 7), where statements from the family were heard and evidence from Dorset Police officers given. 

The hearing was told that Ms Milnes had called police on March 31, 2021 - the day before her death - complaining that Mr Doughty was 'harrassing' her after their relationship ended.

Her call was categorised as a 'medium-risk domestic abuse' matter as there was not an 'immediate risk of harm' or any 'threats' made to Ms Milnes or her family members. 

The healthcare assistant had previously separated from Mr Doughty three times before leaving him for good on February 25, 2021, when she started a relationship with a new man. 

Coroner Rachael Griffin said the family's belief was that police call handlers missed opportunities to upgrade the classification of Ms Milnes' call to 101 on March 31, adding there were 'indicators' and 'phrases used' that should have raised the log. 

Ms Griffin defined Ms Milnes' cause of death as 'neck compression and multiple stab wounds' as she recorded her death as an unlawful killing.

The family believed that if the police had acted by providing 'advice' to Mr Doughty, her 'tragic and soul-destroying' death could have been prevented.

Superintendent Peter Browning, of Dorset Police, told the inquest that nothing more could have been done by the officers at the time and correct procedures had been followed.

He explained that the force was dealing with increased 'volume and demand' and even if an officer had visited Ms Milnes before her death, it was 'unlikely' that Mr Doughty would have been arrested or spoken to within that timeframe.

Officers were due to visit her following the call but no contact was made before Ms Milnes was discovered unresponsive by her daughter. 

Flowers left at the scene following Sherrie Milnes' death (Image: NQ)

Superintendent Browning said that the force has updated its guidance regarding the taking of calls related to domestic abuse and has recruited more officers to cope with demand. 

Ms Griffin said in her conclusion that she was 'satisfied' that there was 'no evidence that what tragically did happen could have been prevented'. 

The inquest was told that Mr Doughty would 'always pursue Sherrie to get her back' and sent her hundreds of texts and several bunches of flowers and gifts.

It also learned that Mr Doughty wanted to 'confront' her about their relationship. 

During the relationship he was said to have 'trust issues' and used to 'get upset' if Ms Milnes wanted to spend time with her family. 

Ms Milnes' daughter, Holly, said in a statement that she had been forced to block Mr Doughty on her mother's social media.

Mr Doughty was even seen sitting in his car outside the home she shared with her mother because 'he wanted to check she had gone to work' - which she said felt 'bizarre'.

The Portland man was said to be 'not coping' with the break-up and a colleague told the inquest he turned into a 'different man' and appeared 'broken and distraught'. 

Armed police at the home of Steven Doughty, who was found dead in his property after killing Sherrie Milnes (Image: G Moore)

Detective Sergeant Richard Winn, of Dorset Police, said that Mr Doughty was seen on CCTV entering Ms Milnes' home, where she was living with her daughter, on the day she died, carrying a supermarket carrier bag.

The officer said DNA analysis of blood discovered on Mr Doughty's jeans found that he would have been 'knelt over' her when she was stabbed and samples showed 'skin-to-skin contact' between the pair. 

DS Winn added that Mr Doughty had bought a kitchen knife in the Wilko store in Weymouth prior to the attack, which was never discovered. 

CCTV identified him stopping off at the Co-op store in Fortuneswell on Portland where he appeared to dispose of what police claim to be the knife and Ms Milnes' mobile phone in the shop's bin. 

Mr Doughty had carried out internet research on suicide methods and on how to purchase a knife - and left a note 'asking for forgiveness' for the '****storm I have caused'. 

DS Winn told the court that the 54-year-old would have been charged with murder had he not been found dead. 

"He wanted answers as to why the relationship broke down and wanted to reignite [it] - but this was a back-up," he said.

"I think the intention was to get back together with Sherrie in his mindset and, because it was established that couldn't happen - then if Steve couldn't be in a relationship with Sherrie, no-one else could either."

Sherrie Milnes was described as a 'vibrant and beautiful' person at her inquest today (Image: Family hand-out)

Ms Milnes' family said in a statement read to the court: "All who knew her loved her. She had a passion for life, a wicked sense of humour and an infectious laugh.

"She was a kind, vibrant and beautiful woman. Her generosity was endless. All who knew her loved her and [she] will live forever in our hearts."

As she concluded, Ms Griffin apologised to the family for the 'time it has taken for these matters to reach this conclusion' as she paid tribute to Ms Milnes as a 'much-loved lady' who was 'devoted to her family'.

"I cannot begin to imagine what you have gone through since that dreadful day and my thoughts are very much with those who knew Sherrie," she said.