Mother Accuses Met Police of Failing to Secure Vital Phone Evidence
The Metropolitan Police has faced severe criticism from a grieving mother who claims officers failed to examine her daughter's mobile phone for potential evidence of serious abuse before her death. Amanda Taylor insists that crucial digital evidence could have strengthened the case against her daughter's ex-partner, who was facing multiple rape charges.
Tragic Circumstances Surrounding the Case
Tianne Robinson, a 29-year-old woman, died from a fatal blood clot on September 12 last year, just weeks before her former partner, 33-year-old Joel Osei, was scheduled to stand trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court. Osei faced four counts of rape and three domestic abuse offences at the time of Tianne's unexpected passing.
Following her daughter's death, Ms Taylor says police requested additional evidence to support prosecutors' efforts to admit Tianne's video-recorded interview as hearsay evidence. During these discussions, she informed officers about an alleged Snapchat death threat sent from prison and a file on Tianne's phone containing evidence of abuse.
Breakdown in Communication Between Forces
Ms Taylor expressed frustration about the apparent communication breakdown between police forces. Nottinghamshire Police currently hold Tianne's phone in relation to her death and an upcoming inquest, and have indicated willingness to release it to the Metropolitan Police if requested.
"No family should have had to do what we have had to do," Ms Taylor told reporters, questioning why a grieving mother should need to facilitate communication between two police forces. She believes this coordination should have occurred automatically ahead of Osei's trial proceedings.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing Outcome
On October 20, 2025, Ms Taylor received what she described as a "five-minute phone call" informing her that prosecutors intended to accept Osei's guilty pleas to domestic violence charges while leaving the four rape counts to lie on file. Osei has consistently denied the rape allegations.
The defendant ultimately received a four-year, two-month prison sentence after admitting to:
- Intentional strangulation
- Controlling or coercive behaviour
- Assault by beating
Evidence presented during proceedings revealed Osei's abusive behaviour included kicking and dragging Tianne across floors, threatening to blow up her home, and strangling her in front of witnesses including her young son.
Police Response and Policy Defence
The Metropolitan Police defended their approach, stating officers did not access Tianne's phone while she was alive because she chose not to provide it voluntarily. A spokesperson explained: "We took a victim-informed approach, and as Tianne chose not to provide her phone, we did not seize it without her consent."
Regarding posthumous considerations, the force added that any decisions about reviewing material were "assessed based on necessity and evidential value." They emphasised their commitment to handling sensitive material respectfully in partnership with other forces and the Crown Prosecution Service.
Family's Campaign for Legal Reform
Tianne's family are now campaigning for changes to legislation that would protect evidence given by domestic abuse victims who later die. Under current laws, prosecutors must argue for the admissibility of evidence from deceased witnesses, giving judges discretion to reject it as hearsay.
The family advocates for reforms that would ensure victims' voices "remain protected in the justice system" even after their death, preventing crucial testimony from being dismissed on procedural grounds.
Ongoing Investigations and Reviews
Nottinghamshire Police have initiated a domestic abuse-related death review (DARDR) to examine the circumstances surrounding Tianne's death. This process, previously known as a domestic homicide review, focuses on learning for future prevention rather than assigning blame.
Ms Taylor questions whether this review should have commenced months earlier and wonders if media attention prompted police action. Meanwhile, the family awaits a full inquest where they hope a coroner will formally recognise the connection between Osei's abuse and Tianne's death.
The Crown Prosecution Service maintained that they carefully considered all available evidence before accepting Osei's guilty pleas to the domestic violence charges, adding that Ms Taylor was kept informed throughout the decision-making process.
