Noelene Beutel. Source: News Corp Australia
AN inquest into the murder of a mother-of-one by her long-time partner will consider whether doctors should be forced to break privilege and notify police in cases where patients are victims of domestic violence.
Brisbane coroner John Hutton on Monday said the probe into the violent killing of Noelene Beutel, 35, by her brutal and sadistic partner would focus on a review of the adequacy of systems currently in place, such as support by government agencies such as police, to prevent future domestic violence deaths.
Mr Hutton was told Wayne Edward Raymond McClutchie, 39, is currently serving a life sentence for beating the mother of his then 21-month-old child to death at their Sippy Downs home, on the Sunshine Coast, on June 29, 2011.
Counsel assisting Mr Hutton, Anthony Marinac, told a pre-inquest hearing McClutchie tried to hide his involvement in Ms Beutel’s slaying by putting her body in the boot of the family car and later dumping it at Tanawha, were he set her corpse of fire.
In October a Brisbane Supreme Court jury was told McClutchie, who was known to have beaten his partner for years, was so proud of the fatal blow he delivered to the head of Ms Beutel that he described it as a “10 out 10’’ punch to investigating police.
The jury was told the blow fractured both sides of Ms Beutel’s skull and either killed her instantly, or caused her to suffocate as a result of internal bleeding.
Mr Marinac on Monday said the purpose of the inquest would be to review systems currently in place to protect the victims of people known be the subjects of ongoing domestic violent by loved ones.
“This was not a relationship of two equals partners,’’ he said.
“Sadly this situation is anything but unique.’’
The hearing was told authorities, in particular police and Ms Beutel’s private physician, were fully aware of the years of extreme violence she had been subjected to during her turbulent relationship with McClutchie.
Mr Marinac said on several occasions police had been called after Ms Beutel was hospitalised or injured after attacks by McClutchie, but she refused to make a complaint against him.
He said the inquest would consider systemic issues, such as the adequacy of the response of the obvious risks to Ms Beutel by medical professionals and police in the lead up to her death.
Mr Hutton commented it would be of significant importance the hearing probe whether health professionals, in particular general practitioners, should be forced to break privilege and report cases of domestic violence to police when they become aware their patient’s safety is in peril.
The proposed three day inquest is scheduled to commence on August 4.