Newly released information shows that the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) had access to Jonathan Creswell's full criminal record, including violent offences, within days of Katie Simpson's death in August 2020. Despite this, no immediate action was taken.

The disclosure came in a Freedom of Information (FOI) response. The PSNI initially refused the request, citing an exemption for coronial investigations. After a challenge, the force confirmed the dates on which the Police National Computer (PNC) was checked for Creswell's record.

Records indicate the PNC was accessed on 14 August 2020, five days after Katie Simpson died. Concerns had been raised with police from 4 August, the day after she was admitted unresponsive to Altnagelvin Hospital.

The case was initially treated as non-suspicious. Creswell was not arrested until 2 March 2021. The PNC was checked again in January 2021, around the time a murder investigation is understood to have begun.

Earlier, Chief Constable Jon Boucher told the Policing Board that information about violence in Creswell's record had been missing from local PSNI systems, and that procedures had been changed to prevent a recurrence. The FOI disclosure confirms that the full record was available on the national database when officers consulted it.

The PSNI has not explained why no safeguarding or criminal action was taken following the PNC check, nor whether other cases were affected. A spokesperson said the force would not comment on specific details while legal proceedings remain ongoing.