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Coroner calls for gun reform after Horden shootings Coroner calls for gun reform after Horden shootings
(about 1 hour later)
A coroner has called for "root and branch" gun licensing reform after ruling three women shot in a house in County Durham were unlawfully killed.A coroner has called for "root and branch" gun licensing reform after ruling three women shot in a house in County Durham were unlawfully killed.
Michael Atherton, 42, shot himself, his partner Susan McGoldrick, her sister Alison Turnbull and Ms Turnbull's daughter Tanya on New Year's Day 2012. Michael Atherton, 42, shot his partner Susan McGoldrick, her sister Alison Turnbull, Ms Turnbull's daughter Tanya and himself, on New Year's Day 2012.
The inquest heard he legally owned weapons despite a history of domestic abuse.The inquest heard he legally owned weapons despite a history of domestic abuse.
The police watchdog said Durham Police missed opportunities to assess him.The police watchdog said Durham Police missed opportunities to assess him.
The force said it had since put in place a number of improvements to its system and was now setting a higher bar for approval than required by national guidance. The force said it had now put in place a number of improvements to its firearms licensing system and was setting a higher bar for approval than required by national guidance.
Chief Constable Michael Barton told relatives: "I apologise on behalf of the organisation that your family and friends have been put through what nobody would want to go through."
Deaths 'avoidable'
Taxi driver Atherton legally owned six weapons, including three shotguns.Taxi driver Atherton legally owned six weapons, including three shotguns.
Following an argument at his home in Horden, near Peterlee, he shot Ms McGoldrick, 47, Ms Turnbull, 44, and 24-year-old Tanya Turnbull.Following an argument at his home in Horden, near Peterlee, he shot Ms McGoldrick, 47, Ms Turnbull, 44, and 24-year-old Tanya Turnbull.
Ms McGoldrick's 19-year-old daughter, Laura, was next to her mother at the time but escaped.Ms McGoldrick's 19-year-old daughter, Laura, was next to her mother at the time but escaped.
The coroner Andrew Tweddle heard Atherton had his guns confiscated in 2008 but shortly after they were returned to him with a written "final warning".The coroner Andrew Tweddle heard Atherton had his guns confiscated in 2008 but shortly after they were returned to him with a written "final warning".
Deaths 'avoidable' In his inquest judgement, he described the deaths as "avoidable".
Mr Tweddle said the way police handled applications for shotgun and firearms licences was so inadequate it was "fortuitous" there had not been more such incidents.
In his judgement, he described the deaths as "avoidable".
He said: "The systemic shortcomings highlighted by me today lead me to conclude that, on a balance of probabilities, the four deceased would not have died when they did in the manner in which they did had there been robust, clear and accountable procedures in place."He said: "The systemic shortcomings highlighted by me today lead me to conclude that, on a balance of probabilities, the four deceased would not have died when they did in the manner in which they did had there been robust, clear and accountable procedures in place."
While he accepted no-one in the Firearms Licensing Unit was guilty of acting in bad faith, he said "the system in place at that time was not fit for purpose so that the decision-making process was flawed". He accepted no-one in the police Firearms Licensing Unit was guilty of acting in bad faith, but the system was not fit or purpose and decision-making was flawed.
He said Durham Police had conducted a thorough review of its firearms licensing practices since the tragedy. Mr Tweddle said the licensing of shotguns and other firearms licensing was being considered by the government.
"The review undertaken by Durham Police has revealed an enormous number of unsatisfactory decisions having been made," he said.
Mr Tweddle added that shotgun and firearms licensing was being considered by the Government.
"In my opinion, the issues revealed by my inquiries into these deaths have made it absolutely clear and beyond doubt that a root and branch review of policy, guidance and procedures and indeed possibly legislation too, to ensure... that the protection of the public is paramount," he said."In my opinion, the issues revealed by my inquiries into these deaths have made it absolutely clear and beyond doubt that a root and branch review of policy, guidance and procedures and indeed possibly legislation too, to ensure... that the protection of the public is paramount," he said.
Nicholas Long from the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said the force had "missed valuable opportunities" to assess Atherton's suitability to be granted a licence. Nicholas Long from the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said: "Not only did the IPCC investigation uncover a wanton lack of intrusive inquiries by Durham Constabulary, it also identified poor practices which reflect woeful record keeping.
"Not only did the IPCC investigation uncover a wanton lack of intrusive inquiries by Durham Constabulary, it also identified poor practices which reflect woeful record keeping," he said. "While some of the failings were down to individuals, the underlying issue was Durham Constabulary's lack of adequate systems and safeguards."
'Serious flaws' The deputy chief constable of Durham, Michael Banks, said: "If we were presented with the same facts today, that licence would not be granted."
"While some of the failings were down to individuals, the underlying issue was Durham Constabulary's lack of adequate systems and safeguards. The force did not have clear policies or procedures in place for dealing with issues presented by an applicant like Atherton." He said there had been a number of improvements, including direct links from the control system to a firearms licensing system.
The deputy chief constable of Durham Police, Michael Banks, said: "If we were presented with the same facts today, that licence would not be granted.
"We've got a number of improvements to our processes."
"We've got a new intelligence system... and direct links from our command and control system to a firearms licensing system which allows real-time risk assessment against licence and certificate holders."
He added that after the Atherton case, Durham Police had reviewed thousands of gun licences and revoked more than 100.
"Now if there's any intelligence around domestic violence in the family setting or intemperate behaviour then there is a presumption that a firearms licence or shotgun certificate will not be granted," he said."Now if there's any intelligence around domestic violence in the family setting or intemperate behaviour then there is a presumption that a firearms licence or shotgun certificate will not be granted," he said.
"If it comes to our attention once its been granted there's a presumption that it will be revoked." He added that after the Atherton case, Durham Police had reviewed thousands of gun licences and revoked more than 100.
'Poor leadership''Poor leadership'
Outside the hearing, Bobby Turnbull, Alison's son and Tanya's brother, said: "We consider the inquest has exposed some serious flaws in the way applications for shotguns and firearms were managed by Durham Constabulary Firearms Licensing Unit. Outside the hearing, Bobby Turnbull, Alison's son and Tanya's brother, said the inquest had exposed serious flaws in licensing.
"This includes lack of training, if any at all, lack of process, lack of accountability, poor leadership and poor communication structure. "This includes lack of training, if any at all, lack of process, lack of accountability, poor leadership and poor communication structure," he said.
"The family have had a very emotional and upsetting week but we will continue with our commitment to improvements to public safety, to ensure no other family have to endure what we have gone through and will go through for the rest of our lives." In a statement, Peter Atherton, the father of Michael, said despite the investigation and inquest the family still had no idea why Michael took "the course of action that he did".
In a statement, Peter Atherton, the father of Michael, said: "So many families have been affected by this, including our own. "Unfortunately this has not been the case as the only person who could have answered our main question as to what pushed Michael over the edge that night is not here to give these answers," he said.
"We never tried to justify or condone Michael's actions that night or take away from the devastation that he has caused that night.
"We still have no idea why Michael decided to take the course of action that he did, and hoped to have been provided by someone the answers we were seeking during this investigation and inquest.
"Unfortunately, this has not been the case as the only person who could have answered our main question as to what pushed Michael over the edge that night is not here to give these answers."