Gracie Spinks inquest: Evidence of woman's killing 'overwhelming'

The coroner in the inquest into the death of Gracie Spinks has told a jury it should only return a conclusion that she was unlawfully killed.

Matthew Kewley said he was "in effect telling" the jurors that Miss Spinks, 23, died as a result of being stabbed by 35-year-old Michael Sellers.

The 10 jurors have retired to consider where, when, how and in what circumstances Miss Spinks died.

They have been hearing evidence since 30 October.

Mr Kewley, assistant coroner for Derby and Derbyshire, said: "While yes, it is a matter for you, in effect, I am telling you the conclusion you should reach.

"It is a conclusion that is used when you are satisfied on the balance of probabilities that in this case Gracie died as a result of the criminal offence of murder.

"The evidence overwhelmingly suggests that Gracie was killed by Michael Sellers.

"There can be no real argument about that in my view.

"You can take it from me that there is no suggestion that Michael Sellers was acting in any sort of self-defence.

"He was the aggressor and that is why I say to you that Gracie was unlawfully killed."

The inquest at Chesterfield Coroner's Court has heard Gracie was killed when she went to look after her horse Paddy at Blue Lodge Farm in Duckmanton, Derbyshire, on 18 June 2021.

Sellers' body was found a short distance away later that day, and he is thought to have killed himself.

Several months earlier, Miss Spinks had reported Sellers to their employer and the police because he had become "obsessed" with her after she told him she did not want a relationship.

His behaviour included waiting for her in his car near to where she kept her horse.

Mr Kewley reminded jurors Sellers had been repeatedly contacting Miss Spinks without permission, "effectively hounding" colleagues for information about her, and watching her on CCTV at their workplace.

In May 2021 a bag of weapons - which also included Viagra tablets and a note saying "don't lie" - was found on a path near where Miss Spinks's horse was stabled, but the inquest heard this was dismissed by police, with one officer believing they were theatre props.

Several officers have given evidence in the inquest, with one saying the weapons should have been a "concern", and another telling Miss Spinks's family that he was "truly sorry" and the force "should have done better".

Mr Kewley told the jury they were not to decide whether multiple failings admitted by the police contributed to Miss Spinks's death.

However, he told jurors to reference them in their conclusion, so "there is a clear record of the fact that there were serious failings by the police".

He said: "It would not be safe for you to consider whether, if any of these failings had not happened, the outcome might have been different.

"It is not possible to say whether the outcome would have been different.

"It is accepted by Derbyshire Police that those failings happened."

Mr Kewley told the court that while the jury would deliberate on Wednesday afternoon, no conclusion would be taken until at least 10:00 GMT on Thursday.

The inquest continues.

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