CAMPAIGNERS against domestic violence picketed the Supreme Court yesterday as the family of a woman who died after calling 999 twice sought a ruling over the right to claim for negligence. 

Joanna Michael died at the hands of her former partner in Cardiff in August 2009 after police took more than 20 minutes to respond to her calls for help.

Her family’s attempt to sue South Wales and Gwent Police for damages had been declined by the Court of Appeal. 

At court, women’s charity Refuge joined forces with human-rights group Liberty to raise awareness and argue against police immunity in negligence claims.

The cross-appeal hearing took place on the same day that new figures revealed a growing number of domestic abusers get away without criminal charges.

In research led by Labour, community resolutions on domestic and sexual violence almost tripled in the last five years.

“The scale of police failure on domestic violence is quite breathtaking,” said Refuge chief executive Sandra Horley. “Failure of this magnitude must not go unchallenged.”