Police and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) failed to take steps which would have stopped a young mother being stabbed to death by her estranged husband in front of their young children, an inquest has found.

The jury returned a verdict of unlawful killing into the death of Cassandra Hasanovic and criticised Sussex Police and the CPS for failing to take the appropriate steps to safeguard the 24-year-old's life.

Kent Police did take the appropriate steps but failed to arrest Hajrudin Hasanovic for breaching bail conditions which stopped him from having any contact with his wife.

Mrs Hasanovic was about to be driven to a women's refuge by her mother Sharon De Souza when Hasanovic appeared at the side of her car and hauled his estranged wife over one of the children and out of the vehicle before plunging a knife into her, the inquest sitting in Chichester has heard.

Serbian-born Hasanovic, 34, attacked Mrs Hasanovic, who was known as Cassie, outside her mother's home in Bognor on July 29, 2008.

Hasanovic, who was known as Harry, was facing deportation at the time of the killing and feared losing a custody battle for the children.

He was jailed for life, with a minimum of 18 years, for her murder at Lewes Crown Court on May 1 2009.

During the trial, Hasanovic was described as a "paranoid and jealous" partner who controlled his wife throughout their marriage and turned her from being bright and bubbly to a "petrified" young woman.

Following the verdict, West Sussex Coroner Penelope Schofield said she would be writing to the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo), Sussex Police and the CPS to recommend that information on domestic violence cases be shared across forces.

She also said there should be better policing in respect of non-molestation orders, a central point of contact where breaches could be reported and that training to deal with domestic violence cases should be addressed.