AN independent inquiry has criticised the way risk assessments were carried out in the case of a psychiatric patient who killed his wife.

The inquiry was ordered after Thomas Gallagher, 45, stabbed his 34-year-old wife, Elizabeth, 30 times in September 2002.

He attacked his wife after she boasted about her sex life with a new lover.

Newcastle Crown Court heard that after the stabbing, Gallagher went for a drink in his local pub while the mother of his two children lay dying at their former home in Shiremoor, North Tyneside.

Gallagher, who had a history of psychiatric problems, admitted murdering his wife and was sentenced to life imprisonment in October 2003.

Because Gallagher had received mental health treatment, an independent inquiry into his care was ordered.

Yesterday, the inquiry panel, led by solicitor Simon Garlick, concluded that "ultimate responsibility for the death" lay with Gallagher, and that different management of his care would "probably not have prevented the murder".

But the panel found shortcomings in the way risk assessments were carried out and other areas where lessons could be learned.

The inquiry was commissioned by Northumberland, Tyne and Wear Strategic Health Authority.

The panel found that on the evidence available, there were no grounds to compulsorily detain Gallagher under the Mental Health Act and he had no history of violence against his wife.

A number of recommendations were made, notably on the need to carry out or review risk assessments when discharging a patient. The panel also called for closer working across professions.

Most of the recommendations have already been implemented by Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland Mental Health NHS Trust.