THE murder of Caroline Coyne in July 2011 would become the first of three separate but notorious attacks on lone women in Nottingham.
The killing of the young mother by a man who stalked her through the streets would be followed by horrific rapes in December and March.
But Caroline's stepfather hopes a 'code' inspired by Caroline's tragic death – which obliges passers-by to help people who look vulnerable to crime – could help prevent more victims.
Jason Stansfield, 42, of Arnot Hill Road, Arnold, hopes 'Caroline's Code' will prevent more attacks and save lives.
Aimed mainly at public transport, taxi companies and the public, it says drivers should try to help people who ask to be "made safe".
Mr Stansfield said he was upset more had not been done to try to help Caroline and women attacked in other incidents in the city.
He said: "There have been a certain number of incidents in Nottingham where people have not stopped or tried to help. Caroline's Code could save other people going forward.
"You can't stand by and not help people, it's not how a society should be operating."
Before she was murdered, Caroline had stepped in front of a bus, tried to flag down passing cars, and got into a taxi but got out without paying.
She even got into a police car, but was advised to get a taxi. No one knows why she was in that area at that time of night. But she ended up wandering the streets alone and encountered Carl Powell who stalked and killed her.
Five months after the attack on Ms Coyne, a woman in her early twenties was beaten unconscious and raped on The Forest Recreation Ground by 19-year-old Joseph Moran.
Moments before she had boarded a bus but was told to get off by the unnamed Trent Barton driver, who would not waive the 20p she needed for the full fare. Moran, of Walker Street, Sneinton, was convicted of the attack in June and locked up for six-and-a-half years in September.
In the March attack, a 17-year-old girl was raped in the Sneinton Market area in the early hours after a man saw her staggering along a street.
She had been to a friend's house and set off for home in a taxi – but ended up wandering through the city centre. Last month Mawawe Karam, 28, of Herbert Road, Carrington, was jailed for ten years after admitting rape.
Nottingham City Transport, which runs Nottingham's main bus network, said it already had a "long standing" policy that vulnerable customers should never be left at the road side.
But it said it would be "proud" to support the idea of Caroline's Code.
A spokesman added: "Our drivers are empowered to allow customers to travel for free, if they present themselves in need of travel and cannot pay the full fare."
Every NCT bus has a radio, it added, where drivers can contact a 24-hour control and staff talks to police about passengers who need help.
Florian Le Loroux, marketing manager for Nottingham Express Transit, which runs the trams, said: "Clearly this initiative follows some very tragic events and we are supportive of the intentions which lie behind the code."
He said the firm already had policies which mirrored the code's aims, but would use it as part of future reviews.
Nottingham City Council, which licences taxis in the city, said it would be willing to talk to Mr Stansfield.
Councillor Alex Norris said: "We pride ourselves on measures that are in place to help make the city safe at night and are interested in anything that could help to improve things."
Ian Pole, director of DG Private Hire, one of the city's biggest taxi firms, said the firm is involved in a scheme with the University of Nottingham Students' Union to help ensure students get home even if they are stuck without cash.
Mr Pole added: "We agree with things like this, because you feel for the families."
A police spokesman said: "Police already regularly help people who are in distress. If an officer is notified that someone is in distress, then they will do everything in their power to make sure that person is safe."
What do you think? Is a code needed? And could this particular code work? Call the newsdesk on 0115 05 1966 or email newsdesk@nottinghampostgroup.co.uk.