An independent review has been launched into the actions of police and other agencies before the murder of a mother hammered to death by her jealous boyfriend.

Asad Niazi, was jailed for life for murdering Charito ‘Che’ Cruz the mother of his two-year-old daughter at their Cambridge Road home shortly after being released by police.

During his trial it was revealed that Ms Cruz, a 37-year-old Filipino care home worker, had contacted the One Stop domestic violence centre and made an appointment.

She was hammered to death by Niazi on September 26 2011 before she could attend.

Ms Cruz’s friend Maravic Ayala wept in court as she recalled how she begged her friend not to return home after Niazi had been released from a night in the cells for smashing up her mobile phone.

She said: “I'm begging her to stay at my place because I am really worried about their safety from Asad because she thought Asad was still in jail.

“She was crying and the last word she told me 'if you no longer contact me maybe Asad killed me already.'

“She was really scared.”

He had also handed himself into Kingston police station in 2010, telling officers he had overstayed his visa in the UK, but was told to report to immigration.

The murder was handed to the Independent Police Complaints Commission, who asked the Metropolitan Police to investigate.

A Kingston Council spokesman said: “An independent domestic homicide review, overseen by an independent chair, is ongoing and council departments and other agencies are contributing to it.

"We cannot comment further while the review is in progress."