Christina Edkins: New Inquiry Into Stabbing

24 November 2014, 09:51 | Updated: 24 November 2014, 10:00

A fresh investigation is going to be held into the fatal stabbing of 16-year-old Christina Edkins on a bus on her way to school in Birmingham.

An earlier inquiry found that her death could have been prevented if her killer Phillip Simelane had received appropriate treatment for mental health problems.

A homicide investigation review team said the death followed a series of ''mismanaged opportunities'' to identify an acute psychotic disorder.

Simelane, from Walsall, pleaded guilty to manslaughter following the random stabbing in Birmingham, and was detained indefinitely under the Mental Health Act.

A multi-agency investigation into the killing, co-ordinated by NHS Birmingham CrossCity Clinical Commissioning Group, highlighted long-term failings by members of the police, prison service and medical staff, and made 51 recommendations to improve the way agencies communicate with each other. 

A spokeswoman for NHS England in Birmingham, Solihull and the Black Country said today: ``NHS England can confirm that a letter has been received and subsequently a decision has been made for a further review.

``The multiagency report was reviewed by the Regional Independent Investigation Committee on the 27 October. Taking this into consideration, as well as the family's wishes, it was felt this case would benefit from a further review.

``We understand this continues to be a difficult time for Christina's family. NHS England will strive to ensure that the family are satisfied with the outcome of this further independent review.''