AFTER five-and-a-half years a Hampshire woman has finally achieved justice over her daughter’s death.
Over the past six weeks an inquest has looked into the role of multiple agencies in the release of Anthony Rice and his subsequent murder of Winchester mother Naomi Bryant.
A jury yesterday returned a verdict of unlawful killing and criticised the Hampshire and London probation services, the prison service, police and Langley House Trust for failings contributing to Miss Bryant’s death.
Verna Bryant, Naomi’s mother, said she was happy to finally get a verdict after years of effort, including two inquests and an independent review.
She said: “I’m very pleased with the verdict. It’s been worth all five-and-half-years. After almost six years, and one abandoned inquest, I have at last been given answers to my questions following the terrible loss of my daughter. The Central Hampshire Coroner Grahame Short said the case was a “wake-up call” to all the agencies.
Mrs Bryant, 73, of Meadowland, Kings Worthy, agreed and said she felt the authorities had let themselves down in their failings to deal with Rice.
For full report and reaction see next week's Hampshire Chronicle.
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