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Ex-soldier admits killing family Ex-soldier admits killing family
(40 minutes later)
A former soldier has admitted the manslaughter of four members of his family, who were found shot dead at the home they shared in Newcastle.A former soldier has admitted the manslaughter of four members of his family, who were found shot dead at the home they shared in Newcastle.
David Bradley, 41, was originally charged with the murders of his uncle Peter Purcell, aunt Josie, both 70, and their sons Keith, 44, and Glen, 41.David Bradley, 41, was originally charged with the murders of his uncle Peter Purcell, aunt Josie, both 70, and their sons Keith, 44, and Glen, 41.
But those charges were dropped when it was found he was mentally ill.But those charges were dropped when it was found he was mentally ill.
Newcastle Crown Court heard how the bodies were found in Benwell Grove on 9 July, 2006. He will be sentenced later. The judge at Newcastle Crown Court ruled psychiatric reports be prepared and he remanded Bradley in custody.
Newcastle Crown Court heard how the bodies were found in Benwell Grove on 9 July, 2006.
Bradley admitted the manslaughter charges on the grounds of diminished responsibility after two psychiatrists agreed he was mentally ill at the time of the killings.Bradley admitted the manslaughter charges on the grounds of diminished responsibility after two psychiatrists agreed he was mentally ill at the time of the killings.
Lying in wait He pleaded guilty on the day he was due go on trial accused of the four murders, at Newcastle Crown Court.
He pleaded guilty on the morning that his murder trial was due to begin at Newcastle Crown Court.
Detectives said the massacre happened because Bradley "flipped", began smashing up the house and then fought with his cousin Keith.Detectives said the massacre happened because Bradley "flipped", began smashing up the house and then fought with his cousin Keith.
It resulted in Bradley killing his family over a five-hour period on the night of 8 and 9 July at their home in the West End of Newcastle. The bodies of the family were found on Sunday
It resulted in Bradley killing his family over a five-hour period, on the night of 8 and 9 July, at their home in the West End of Newcastle.
The former Royal Artillery private, who served in the first Gulf War, Bosnia and Northern Ireland, shot father-of-six Peter and Keith immediately, before lying in wait for his aunt Josie and cousin Glen.The former Royal Artillery private, who served in the first Gulf War, Bosnia and Northern Ireland, shot father-of-six Peter and Keith immediately, before lying in wait for his aunt Josie and cousin Glen.
The court was told that Bradley would need to be assessed by psychiatrics at Rampton secure hospital in Nottinghamshire. The court was told Bradley would need to be assessed by psychiatrists at Rampton secure hospital in Nottinghamshire.
Judge Hodson ruled that psychiatric reports should be prepared on the defendant and that he be remanded in custody. Toby Hedworth QC, prosecuting, said two medical experts, for the Crown and defence, agreed Bradley had suffered mental illness.
The judge said a hearing would be held on 26 February to update the court on the progress being made in obtaining these reports. Killing spree
He said: "Both of these eminent doctors are of the view that the defendant has suffered lifelong behavioural and emotional difficulties, which worsened following his 1995 discharge from the Army.
"His mental state deteriorated more acutely in 1997.
"They both agree at the time of the killings that the defendant was suffering from a mental disorder which constitutes an abnormality of the mind."
Mr Hedworth said the defence's expert believed Bradley was suffering post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after serving with the Army in Northern Ireland.
But both experts agreed that he did not suffer from Gulf War Syndrome, contrary to reports which appeared in the aftermath of his killing spree.
The court also heard that Bradley did not see any active service during his deployment to the Gulf.
A further hearing will be held on 26 February.