Five officers failed to perform their duties in connection with the death of trainee nursery nurse Rebecca Sessacar, an investigation by the police watchdog has found.

Mrs Sessacar, who also worked at Asda in Beddington, was killed by Bulent Sessacar at their home in Duppas Hill Terrace, Croydon, on December 20, 2012.

He was jailed for life last week and will serve a minimum of 10 years and eight months in prison.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) identified five officers as failing to satisfactorily perform their duties.

Two of the officers will attend a gross incompetence meeting which is chaired by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and could result in dismissal.

The IPCC’s investigation examined the circumstances surrounding the MPS’ response, actions and decisions in relation to police contact with the Sessacar family.

It also looked at responses by the MPS in relation to calls made by neighbours on the afternoon of Mrs Sessacar’s death.

Mr Sessacar had been arrested on December 18, two days before her death, for a domestic incident but he was released with no bail conditions after Mrs Sessacar told police she did not want to press charges.

Then on December 20, officers were called to the flat after a neighbour heard the sound of a scream and a body being dragged across the floor.

The neighbour called the police at 2.57pm but when they arrived the flat was silent and in darkness. The curtain had been drawn so they went back to the police station.

Officers returned a second time at 3.45pm after the neighbour phoned again and after drawing the curtain that was blocking the view from the letterbox, they could see a trail of blood.

They then forced entry to the flat where they found Rebecca Sessacar lying in a pool of blood.

Sandra Ward, Rebecca Sessacar’s mum, said this week her daughter’s death should have been prevented.

Ms Ward criticised the police and the NHS after Bulent Sessacar was released from Bethlem Hospital after being sectioned. He had also tried to previously commit suicide.

She said: “Bulent should not have been let out on bail after he assaulted Rebecca on the Tuesday before he killed her.

"I hope lessons are learned from this. There are constant reports in the newspapers concerning people who have been let out of psychiatric places and killed people.

"The stats on the number of murders that occur with offenders that have been let out on bail seems to say jobs are not being done properly."

An investigation by the IPCC concluded in August last year and a final investigation report was approved by the commissioner and passed onto the MPS in September.

An IPCC spokesperson said: “Last month the IPCC received a response from the MPS regarding the investigation's findings which has been accepted.

“Five officers are subject of unsatisfactory performance procedures, including two PCs who will attend a gross incompetence meeting.

“UPP is defined as an inability or failure to perform the duties of the role/rank to a satisfactory standard or level. We will provide further information as soon as we are able."