Piers Meyler

Coroner Julian Morris said safeguarding gaps left Natasha Hill, who had been in Essex County Council's care, vulnerable to abuse by her older boyfriend, Scott Clifford. Hill was groomed from about age 16, but protections including a Child Abduction Warning Notice and child exploitation support lapsed when she turned 18 without a vulnerable-adult action plan. She was later beaten to death by Clifford in London in April 2018. The coroner called for stronger transitional safeguarding for vulnerable people aged 18 to 22, including more consistent national policies and improved protective measures. Essex County Council expressed sympathy, accepted the feedback and said it had since changed its practices.