Epsom College deaths: No investigation into police contact with husband

There will be no investigation into police contact with a man days before he killed his wife, Epsom College's head, a watchdog has said.

Emma Pattison, 45, was found dead along with her seven-year-old daughter, Lettie, and husband on Sunday.

George Pattison is believed to have shot the pair before killing himself.

The police watchdog said it had reviewed Surrey Police's contact with Mr Pattison about his firearms licence and no probe was required.

Surrey Police had made contact with Mr Pattison on 2 February after he recently updated a gun licence in order to change his address following their move from Caterham, Surrey.

The 39-year-old chartered accountant's legally owned gun was later discovered at their home on the school grounds, where the family was found dead. The force is investigating the deaths as a possible murder-suicide.

The Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) reviewed Surrey Police's interaction over the firearms licence after a mandatory referral by the force.

An IOPC spokesperson said: "We have reviewed the recent contact Surrey Police had with Mr Pattison regarding his firearms licence and have decided that no investigation is required.

"Following a thorough assessment of the available evidence, we determined on 8 February that the matter should be returned to the force to handle as it deems appropriate.

"We have reminded the force of its obligations, and that if evidence were to come to light that anyone serving with the police may have breached standards of professional behaviour or committed a criminal offence in connection with this, they should refer relevant matters to us."

Although Mr Pattison's gun licence had been recently updated, and officers made contact with him about that, the force said neither he nor his wife were subject to an ongoing investigation.

It comes after it was revealed Mrs Pattison was reported to police in 2016 for allegedly hitting him.

Seven years earlier, the BBC understands Mr Pattison reported an alleged domestic assault to Surrey Police. Mrs Pattison was questioned by officers, but no further action was taken.

Since the shooting, tributes have poured in for Mrs Pattison, who became the first female head of the private Epsom College only five months ago, after six years as head teacher of Croydon High School in south London.

Mrs Pattison is understood to have called a relative some time late on Saturday evening, but by the time the family member arrived, all three of them were dead.

Police said an investigation was being carried out to establish the full chronology and circumstances of the incident.

The causes of death will not be confirmed until post-mortem examinations have been completed.