Katie Simpson: My brother Paul Lusby 'knew Creswell was a killer'

David Lusby often finds himself reflecting on what his late brother Paul would have done in difficult situations. Paul, described by David as a “good guy… a charismatic gentleman,” was someone he admired deeply and whose judgment he trusted. However, alongside his respect, David also experiences moments of frustration and sadness, especially given that Paul took his own life in July 2022.

This tragic event occurred nearly two years after Paul initially raised alarms about Jonathan Creswell, who was on trial for the murder of Katie Simpson, a close friend of Paul’s. During this prolonged period, David said Paul lived in fear and felt threatened, unable to shake the terror that Creswell, whom Paul believed to be a killer, remained free. “Paul knew that Creswell was a killer,” David stated, and added that despite his brother’s repeated efforts, “nothing was being done.” Paul’s first contact with the authorities was the day after Katie was admitted to the hospital. He informed police about Katie’s situation, noting her entrapment in domestic servitude and Creswell’s criminal history.

A detailed report on Katie Simpson’s death revealed crucial information provided by Paul and others early in the investigation that was overlooked by the police. Among the evidence was a call Paul made to Crimestoppers the day following Katie’s hospital admission. The inquiry found that Paul’s statements were not properly documented or acted upon. When Paul sought details about a police interview he participated in on April 13, 2021, he was told that the notes had been destroyed. Dr. Jan Melia, who authored the review, criticized this loss, emphasizing that all investigation materials should have been preserved.

Jonathan Creswell, Katie’s sister’s partner, was implicated as her abuser, and he tragically died by suicide one day after his trial commenced. The review labeled Creswell a “predator” who had groomed Katie from a very young age and had a history of abusive behavior, including a jail sentence for prior offenses. David spoke about Paul’s character as a “good man, a noble man… trying to do the right thing,” and expressed anger over how Paul’s warnings were disregarded. The family feels Paul lived his final months in fear of Creswell, who had threatened him. They believe a public inquiry is necessary to hold accountable the police officers involved and to thoroughly investigate the systemic failings that led to this tragedy. David described the impact of Paul’s death as devastating for their family, especially for their parents who have suffered an immeasurable loss.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland issued a statement acknowledging the pain experienced by the Lusby family. They also recognized recent apologies from senior police officials for failures in the initial investigation into Katie Simpson’s death, including the neglect of early concerns raised by Paul. Meanwhile, the Chief Executive of the Police Ombudsman’s Office, Hugh Hume, has reached out to offer a meeting with the family to address their grievances. He explained that after initially determining Paul’s complaint was outside their remit, new information he provided allowed for a wider investigation into police handling of the case. Hume expressed gratitude to Paul for bringing these serious issues to light, noting that his complaint was a key factor prompting a comprehensive review

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