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/6309169.stm
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Ex-soldier admits killing family | Ex-soldier admits killing family |
| (about 4 hours 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. |
| The judge at Newcastle Crown Court ruled psychiatric reports be prepared and he remanded Bradley in custody. | 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. | 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. |
| Other medical experts, appearing for the prosecution and defence, also told the court the defendant was a heavy user of cannabis, which may have contributed to the deterioration in his mental health. | |
| Calm killer surrenders to police | Calm killer surrenders to police |
| 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. | 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. |
| Almost four hours after the killing spree, Bradley was caught on CCTV calmly walking the short distance to West Road Police Station carrying an arsenal of weapons in a rucksack. | Almost four hours after the killing spree, Bradley was caught on CCTV calmly walking the short distance to West Road Police Station carrying an arsenal of weapons in a rucksack. |
| The footage shows him pausing to stub out a cigarette before going into the station to give himself up. | The footage shows him pausing to stub out a cigarette before going into the station to give himself up. |
| 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. |
| 'Lifelong difficulties' | |
| The court was told Bradley would need to be assessed by psychiatrists at Rampton secure hospital in Nottinghamshire. | The court was told Bradley would need to be assessed by psychiatrists at Rampton secure hospital in Nottinghamshire. |
| Toby Hedworth QC, prosecuting, said two medical experts, for the Crown and the defence, agreed Bradley had suffered mental illness. | Toby Hedworth QC, prosecuting, said two medical experts, for the Crown and the defence, agreed Bradley had suffered mental illness. |
| "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, 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, he said. |
| The bodies of the family were found in their home | The bodies of the family were found in their home |
| "His mental state deteriorated more acutely in 1997. | "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." | "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. | 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 the killings. | But both experts agreed that he did not suffer from Gulf War Syndrome, contrary to reports which appeared in the aftermath of the killings. |
| The court also heard that Bradley did not see any active service during his deployment to the Gulf. | The court also heard that Bradley did not see any active service during his deployment to the Gulf. |
| 'Jaded and weird' | |
| Det Supt Steve Wade, who led the inquiry, spoke after the hearing about Bradley's state of mind before the killings. | |
| "He said he had felt 'jaded and weird', the hot weather was getting to him and he had 'started to flip'," said Det Supt Wade. | |
| A spokesman for Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Trust said an independent inquiry into Bradley's care and treatment was to be carried out. | A spokesman for Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Trust said an independent inquiry into Bradley's care and treatment was to be carried out. |
| He said: "At this stage, pending the outcome of the independent inquiry, there is nothing further that we can add other than to offer our condolences to the families involved." | He said: "At this stage, pending the outcome of the independent inquiry, there is nothing further that we can add other than to offer our condolences to the families involved." |
| A further hearing will be held on 26 February. | A further hearing will be held on 26 February. |