Greater Manchester To Test "Clare's Law"

A new law named after the Salford woman murdered by a violent ex is being tested in Greater Manchester to allow woemn to check their partners have a violent past.

It comes after a campaign for a change in the law to help protect women from domestic abuse by the Michael Brown, the dad of a murder victim.

Mr Brown's daughter, Clare Wood, was strangled and set on fire by her ex-boyfriend, George Appleton, at her home in Salford in February 2009.

Appleton, dubbed the "Facebook Fugitive'' then went on the run before hanging himself.

Miss Wood, 36, a mother-of-one, had met Appleton on Facebook, unaware of his horrific history of violence against women, including repeated harassment, threats and the kidnapping at knifepoint of one of his ex-girlfriends.

At the inquest into Miss Wood's death last year, Coroner Jennifer Leeming said women in abusive relationships should have the right to know about the violent past of the men they were with.

"Sarah's Law'' named after Sarah Payne who was murdered by paedophile Roy Whiting in 2000, now gives parents the right to know of any child sex convictions of men with access to their children.

Mr Brown, a former prison officer originally from Aberdeen who now lives in West Yorkshire, said last month the "world is watching for a lead from the UK's Government''.

A Home Office spokesman said: "Domestic violence is a particularly dreadful form of abuse and we are constantly looking at ways to strengthen protection for victims.

"That is why we consulted on introducing a domestic violence disclosure scheme, often known as 'Clare's law'. We will be making a formal announcement shortly.''

Mrs May last year agreed to open a 'Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme' to public consultation and is now considering the response.