Police watchdog launches investigation after Hayley Burke shot dead by domestic abuse suspect Jacob Cloke in Priory Road, Dartford

The police watchdog is investigating after court records revealed a man suspected of taking his ex-partner hostage and shooting her was a known domestic abuse suspect out on bail.

Mum-of-two Hayley Burke died after being fatally shot at her home in Priory Road, Dartford by Jacob Cloke.

Cloke died days later after shooting himself following a stand-off with armed police on Saturday, May 6.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has reportedly now launched an investigation after it emerged the 29-year-old gunman man was facing several charges of violence against his ex-partner and was out on bail at the time of the attack, The Guardian reports.

KentOnline previously revealed how Cloke was facing a number of charges relating to abusing Ms Burke, having previously been sent to prison for attacking another woman.

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Details reveal she felt intimidated after the cocaine addict tried to strangle her over a row about a mobile phone.

In February last year he threatened to kill Ms Burke, grabbing her by the throat and causing her to pass out.

The former pub manager awoke to find him shaking her – he denied attacking her, saying she must have fallen.

Feeling unwell days later, the mum-of-two went to Darent Valley Hospital, Dartford, where a bleed to the brain was discovered.

The couple started going out in December 2020 and were at one time engaged but the relationship soured after he changed after time in prison.

On Tuesday April 18, the scaffolder turned up at her home and later that night entered the bedroom – slamming the door and refusing to let her out.

He became aggressive and wanted to snatch her puppy – threatening to break its paws – and spat in her face.

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Cloke, who previously lived in Hayle Road, Maidstone, and Shortlands Road, Sittingbourne, denied doing anything to her and left the house.

The following morning he returned and scared and feeling vulnerable, Ms Burke called the police and Cloke was later arrested.

Jacob Cloke’s criminal career started at 14 when he landed before Medway Juvenile Court.

The recent charges he faced were:

Assaulting by beating Hayley Burke in Sheerness on February 24, 2023; Assaulting by beating Hayley Burke in Dartford on April 18, 2023; Theft of a pair of trainers in Dartford on April 24, 2023; Assaulting Hayley Burke causing actual bodily harm in Dartford on February 28, 2022.

An inquest on Thursday heard former pub manager Ms Burke died after suffering a gunshot wound to the head.

She died two days later in hospital. Cloke also had gunshot wounds and died five days later in hospital.

Due to an ongoing police investigation not all information was passed to the coroner’s office.

However, an investigation has since been launched by the police watchdog to examine whether any police inaction could have contributed to Hayley’s death, and whether there were missed opportunities to safeguard her.

An IOPC spokesperson told The Guardian: “Our thoughts are with Hayley Burke’s family and friends following their loss.

“We can confirm we are independently investigating the contact Kent police had with Ms Burke prior to her death on 8 May.

“Our investigation, which is at a very early stage, will examine whether any police action, or inaction, may have caused or contributed to her death, including whether there were any missed opportunities to safeguard her.

“We will be in touch with Ms Burke’s family to express our condolences and explain our role.”

The investigation will be looking into what happened during the shooting.

Straight after the incident, Kent Police made a mandatory referral to the IOPC because officers were at the scene at the time of the injuries.

Cloke is understood to have broken the terms of the order and gone to Dartford at the time of the attack.

The Crown Prosecution Service said: “At the first appearance of Jacob Cloke on April 26 2023, we requested an electronic tag to keep him out of Dartford.”

It added that the CPS did not monitor bail conditions and any breaches were a “matter for the police”.

Tributes were paid to Hayley following her death and flowers and messages were left at the scene.

One friend said: “Hayley would do anything for anybody but wasn’t afraid to tell you if you took the mick. She was so brutally honest – it was one of her best character traits.

“If you wanted an honest opinion you would always ask Hayley.”

The IOPC have been contacted for further comment.