This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/tyne/7338375.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Ex-soldier who shot family jailed | Ex-soldier who shot family jailed |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| An ex-soldier who shot four members of his family with a silenced pistol has been given four life sentences. | An ex-soldier who shot four members of his family with a silenced pistol has been given four life sentences. |
| The bodies of Peter and Josie Purcell, both 70, and sons Keith, 44, and Glen, 41, were found after David Bradley walked into a Newcastle police station. | The bodies of Peter and Josie Purcell, both 70, and sons Keith, 44, and Glen, 41, were found after David Bradley walked into a Newcastle police station. |
| He had killed his aunt, uncle and cousins after "flipping out" at their home in Benwell Grove in July 2006. | He had killed his aunt, uncle and cousins after "flipping out" at their home in Benwell Grove in July 2006. |
| The 41-year-old admitted manslaughter with diminished responsibility and will serve a minimum term of 15 years. | The 41-year-old admitted manslaughter with diminished responsibility and will serve a minimum term of 15 years. |
| Psychiatrists agreed that although Bradley was mentally ill, under the law he could not be sent to a psychiatric hospital indefinitely because his condition is not treatable. | Psychiatrists agreed that although Bradley was mentally ill, under the law he could not be sent to a psychiatric hospital indefinitely because his condition is not treatable. |
| Instead Justice Secretary Jack Straw ordered that Bradley be detained at Rampton secure hospital in Nottinghamshire for an undetermined period of treatment. | |
| Passing sentence, Judge David Hodson, the Recorder of Newcastle, said it was for the parole board to decide if Bradley would ever be released. | Passing sentence, Judge David Hodson, the Recorder of Newcastle, said it was for the parole board to decide if Bradley would ever be released. |
| He said: "The parole board would never contemplate releasing you unless it was completely and utterly satisfied you pose no risk whatsoever to other members of your family or the wider public. | He said: "The parole board would never contemplate releasing you unless it was completely and utterly satisfied you pose no risk whatsoever to other members of your family or the wider public. |
| The former soldier said he exchanged cigarettes for the pistol in Bosnia | The former soldier said he exchanged cigarettes for the pistol in Bosnia |
| "From all I have read for this case I am of the opinion that your psychiatric disorder and mental illness are of such a degree it may never be safe for you to be returned to the community." | "From all I have read for this case I am of the opinion that your psychiatric disorder and mental illness are of such a degree it may never be safe for you to be returned to the community." |
| Bradley, who was a heavy cannabis user, lived as a virtual recluse in the bedroom of the house he shared with his four victims, Newcastle Crown Court heard. | Bradley, who was a heavy cannabis user, lived as a virtual recluse in the bedroom of the house he shared with his four victims, Newcastle Crown Court heard. |
| On 8 July 2006, after complaining of feeling "hot and bothered", he began smashing up his room before fighting with his cousin Keith. | On 8 July 2006, after complaining of feeling "hot and bothered", he began smashing up his room before fighting with his cousin Keith. |
| He retrieved the pistol - which he had smuggled into the UK from Bosnia while serving in the Army, shot Keith, and then killed his uncle who was asleep on the sofa. | He retrieved the pistol - which he had smuggled into the UK from Bosnia while serving in the Army, shot Keith, and then killed his uncle who was asleep on the sofa. |
| His aunt and cousin Glen were shot at point-blank range when they returned home later that night. | His aunt and cousin Glen were shot at point-blank range when they returned home later that night. |
| Explosive device | Explosive device |
| Soon afterwards, the nearby West Road Police Station was evacuated when Bradley walked in to confess to the killings and placed a bagful of weapons on the counter. | Soon afterwards, the nearby West Road Police Station was evacuated when Bradley walked in to confess to the killings and placed a bagful of weapons on the counter. |
| Inside was a Thunderflash explosive device wrapped in nails, a 12-bore shotgun, two knives, and more than 400 rounds of ammunition. | Inside was a Thunderflash explosive device wrapped in nails, a 12-bore shotgun, two knives, and more than 400 rounds of ammunition. |
| In January this year, four murder charges against Bradley were dropped after two psychiatrists agreed he was mentally ill at the time of the killings. | In January this year, four murder charges against Bradley were dropped after two psychiatrists agreed he was mentally ill at the time of the killings. |
| Two medical experts, appearing for the prosecution and defence, also told the court the defendant's heavy cannabis habit may have contributed to the deterioration in his mental health. | Two medical experts, appearing for the prosecution and defence, also told the court the defendant's heavy cannabis habit may have contributed to the deterioration in his mental health. |
| Both experts agreed that he had not been suffering from Gulf War Syndrome. | Both experts agreed that he had not been suffering from Gulf War Syndrome. |
| Bradley had served as a Royal Artillery gunner in the first Gulf War, Bosnia and Northern Ireland. |