Harassed mother killed her daughter

Sep 28 2009

Francecca Hardwick was unlawfully killed by her mother Fiona Pilkington who committed suicide, an inquest jury has found.

The pair were discovered in their burning car at the side of the A47 near their home in Barwell, Leicestershire, in October 2007.

The jury found that Ms Pilkington killed herself and her daughter "due to the stress and anxiety regarding her daughter's future, and ongoing anti-social behaviour".

The jury ruled that Ms Pilkington unlawfully killed Francecca when she set light to the family car in a secluded lay-by at the side of the A47 near their home in Bulwell, Leicestershire, on October 21, 2007. The jury also found that Ms Pilkington committed suicide.

As part of the inquest at Loughborough Town Hall, it was then asked to report on whether the response of police and two councils contributed to the deaths of the pair.

To the question of whether the police properly responded to the 33 calls made by Ms Pilkington over 10 years about anti-social behaviour, the foreman answered that the police's failure had an impact on Ms Pilkington's decision to unlawfully kill her daughter and commit suicide.

He added: "Calls were not linked or prioritised."

Asked whether Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council's response to complaints of anti-social behaviour contributed to the deaths, the foreman added: "Prior to February 2007, actions to control anti-social behaviour were not evident."

The jury also found that Leicestershire County Council failed to properly help Ms Pilkington and her family.

The foreman said: "A referral was not made for a professional assessment of Fiona's state of mind."