Hampshire social services confirms review to be held into care of murdered teenager

By Ben Mitchell, Reporter11th December 2020News EnglandChild Protection, Childrens Services, Hampshire, News England, Serious / Significant Case Review / Inquest, Social Work

A review is to be held into the care provided by social services to murdered teenager Louise Smith.

Shane Mays, 30, from Havant, Hampshire, was jailed for life and must serve a minimum of 25 years after he was found guilty of the murder of the 16-year-old on VE Day.

The teenager, who was training to be a veterinary nurse, was “brutally” killed in Havant Thicket and her body defiled and burned.

The trial at Winchester Crown Court heard that Louise was “vulnerable” and suffered from anxiety and depression and also took cannabis.

She had moved in with Mays and his wife, Chazlynn Jayne (CJ), after quarrelling with her mother Rebbecca Cooper.

The court heard that Louise had a social worker assigned to her because of her situation.

Hampshire County Council has confirmed that it will carry out a review into her death.

Derek Benson, chairman of the Hampshire Safeguarding Children Partnership, said: “Learning reviews are carried out to identify any learning to improve both single and multi-agency safeguarding of children, not to apportion blame to an individual or agency.

“It is the practice of Local Safeguarding Partnerships to respect the confidentiality of the children and young people involved, and their families, and for this reason reports and associated publications are anonymised.

“Therefore, while I can confirm that a review is being undertaken, I cannot provide any further details, including providing an indication of when the review report will be published.”