Gran killed in fire ‘after cops ignored urgent pleas about daughter’s ex’
The family of Jacqueline Allen, 65, said police were alerted because of threats allegedly made towards her daughter but less than four hours after the warning she had died
A GRAN died in a house fire after police ignored urgent pleas about her daughter’s bitter ex, grieving relatives claimed yesterday.
Jacqueline Allen, 65, was babysitting alone when granddaughter Millie’s dad Simon Childs turned up.
Family said police were alerted because of threats allegedly made towards Jacqueline’s daughter Mandy, 45. Less than four hours after the warning Jacqueline died.
Millie, 12, broke an ankle jumping from a first-floor window.
A relative told The Sun: “Mandy phoned the police every time he visited. This time they had been phoned at about 5.30pm by a family friend. The police said they would send someone round and the family friend said, ‘This is desperate, I’m begging you. If you don’t come and sort this out something bad is going to happen’.
“When the fire happened they still had not turned up.”
Police are now being investigated over Saturday’s suspected arson attack, in which a dog also died.
Childs, 51, appeared in court on Tuesday charged with murdering Jacqueline and attempting to murder Millie. He did not enter a plea.
Childs and Mandy married in 2002 and separated in October. Mandy was out when the blaze started in West Malling, Kent.
Jacqueline lived a minute’s walk away. Her brother Andrew Lee said: “She hadn’t done anything to anybody. All she did was go over there to babysit.
“In this cruel world she was someone who cared for others and had a massive heart.”
Mandy’s neighbour Frank Davies, 21, was among those who tried to get inside the semi-detached house before emergency services arrived. He said: “I managed to get on the porch roof and began punching a window.
“There were neighbours running around shouting Millie’s name. No one knew that the nan was inside the house too.”
Frank’s dad Daniel added: “I knocked the door down but was beated back by the smoke.
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“Then police turned up, then the ambulance and the fire engine. They all got stuck in.”
Kent Police said: “Due to previous police contact relating to the man who was arrested and charged, Kent Police has made a referral to the Independent Office of Police Conduct.
“A referral to the IOPC is mandatory in these circumstances.”
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