Officers told ‘not to arrest sex offender after woman’s death’

Scatchard told Avon and Somerset Police officers that he had found Faiers lying unconscious on the floor of his lounge after she had taken up to 10 sleeping tablets.

PC Alex Harris said she knew from the police database that Scatchard was a registered sex offender and had convictions for administering drugs to obtain intercourse.

“Richard Scatchard then informed me that they had some sexual foreplay, but did not have sex,” she said in a written statement.

“He then informed me that Kelly had taken sleeping tablets. I confirmed 10, as I was really shocked by this.”

PC Harris said she became increasingly uneasy about Scatchard’s demeanour.

“He wasn’t saying very much and was constantly pacing around the flat going from the kitchen to the bedroom. He appeared very uneasy in our presence,” she said.

“I asked why Kelly took them (sleeping tablets) and he replied, ‘Because I like to watch her sleep’.”

PC Harris contacted a colleague, Sgt Lauren Whitehouse, who told her she had relayed the details to the duty detective sergeant who felt that Scatchard should not be arrested at that time.