Weymouth mother told police of harassment day before she died
Sherrie Milnes was found with stab wounds in April 2021
A Weymouth mother of five, who was found stabbed and strangled to death, had complained to Dorset Police about harassment on the day before she died.
A pre-inquest review in Bournemouth has been told paramedics and police were called to Ranelagh Road on April 1st 2021.
Sherrie Milnes was pronounced dead at the scene.
Later the same day, 54 year old Stephen Doughty, from Portland, was found dead at his home.
The pair were known to each other.
Dorset Coroner Rachael Griffin said Ms Milnes had made a complaint of harassment against Mr Doughty at 1.08pm on March 31:
"This information is more of a background history rather than factors that were causative or contributory to her death.
"I note a complaint was made to police about harassment in relation to Mr Doughty and arrangements were made for her to be met a few days later.
"It's not possible to say what would have happened if police had seen Sherrie that day before, even if police had gone to see her, whether it would have prevented her death.
"That is why I said it was not significantly contributory or causative to her death but I am still looking at that."
Ms Milnes' death is also being investigated by both Dorset Police and the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) as well being subject to a domestic homicide review by the local authority.
Speaking to Sherrie's family directly during the hearing, she said:
"I wish to take this opportunity to offer all my sincerest condolences following her death.
"It's clear to me how loved she was to you all and the impact her loss will have had on you all, my thoughts are very much with you."
Following her death, Ms Milnes' family said in a statement that she was born in London and moved to Weymouth and Portland in her 20s, where she worked as a healthcare assistant in care homes.
They said: "She was the most amazing mother of five children, and a nanny to four grandchildren whom she adored."
The full inquest is to be held in June 7th 2023, with a further pre-inquest review on March 24th.
A separate inquest is being held into Mr Doughty's death.
That's been adjourned for a full hearing on June 2nd, 2023.