“I don't think police protected my daughter.”

These are the words of a mum who lost her 30-year-old daughter when she was murdered in Andover in 2019.

Lucy-Anne Rushton, known as Lucy, was found dead in her Suffolk Road flat during the early hours of Sunday, June 23, 2019.

Her estranged partner, Shaun Dyson, was charged with her murder and pleaded guilty at Winchester Crown Court in December 2019. He was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 17 years.

READ MORE: Coroner to decide whether jury will be called for inquest of Andover murder victim

Shaun Dyson and Lucy-Anne Rushton Shaun Dyson and Lucy-Anne Rushton The court heard that in the year prior to her murder, Ms Rushton was subjected to serious physical assaults at the hands of Dyson, which were reported to both Dorset and Hampshire police.

On Monday, December 2, a jury inquest was opened at Winchester Coroner's Court to determine the circumstances that led to Ms Rushton's murder and find if police failure contributed to her death.

It was during this hearing that Ms Rushton's mum, Myra Simpson, made a heart-touching statement, which was read to the jurors. She spoke about her daughter's life and the domestic abuse she suffered and questioned whether authorities had done enough to intervene.

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"Lucy's death has affected me and my family in every way," said Ms Simpson in her statement.

"We're not the same anymore. We are broken. We all carry guilt that we didn't do enough to protect our Lucy. We don't do things together like before."

A statement from one of Ms Rushton's children was also read out, and she was described as "a caring person who was always there" for the kids.

It said: "She was hardworking and loving. Mum had lots of friends and loved dancing and music. We would remember her as someone who would make everyone laugh. She was a brilliant mum."

The court also heard statements from Ms Rushton's close family members in which they described how Dyson raped Ms Rushton when she was passed out and shared grossly offensive pictures.

Ms Rushton and Dyson were separated at the time, but the estranged husband was continuing to stalk and harass her, the court heard.

The family members also said Ms Rushton, who often wore a brave face, was scared to report the harassment, fearing she would lose the custody of her child.

This week's jury inquest has been launched upon the family's wish as they believe the jurors would be able to assist the coroner in his investigation as to whether inaction by the police contributed to Ms Rushton's death.

Officers from Dorset Police were called to an incident at Britannia Hotel in Bournemouth months before her murder when Ms Rushton suffered domestic abuse injuries at the hands of Dyson.

After Dyson's conviction, the area coroner for Hampshire initially decided against continuing an inquest into her death. 

SEE ALSO: LISTEN: The chilling 999 call Shaun Dyson made after murdering his wife

However, her family called for a judicial review, and the inquest was resumed.  

Darren Stewart, assistant area coroner for Hampshire, presides over the inquest.

Monday's hearing saw 11 jurors being selected to listen to the evidence and assist the coroner in fact-finding measures with regard to the circumstances that led to the death of Lucy.

The inquest is expected to last for three weeks.