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John Lowe guilty of Farnham puppy farm murders John Lowe guilty of Farnham puppy farm murders
(35 minutes later)
A pensioner has been found guilty of murdering his partner and her daughter after he shot them both dead at his puppy farm in Surrey.A pensioner has been found guilty of murdering his partner and her daughter after he shot them both dead at his puppy farm in Surrey.
John Lowe, 82, from Farnham, had denied two counts of murder and a firearms charge.John Lowe, 82, from Farnham, had denied two counts of murder and a firearms charge.
During the trial at Guildford Crown Court, Lowe claimed the deaths of Christine Lee, 66, and Lucy Lee, 40, were "a terrible accident".During the trial at Guildford Crown Court, Lowe claimed the deaths of Christine Lee, 66, and Lucy Lee, 40, were "a terrible accident".
But jurors heard he told police he wanted both women "put down".But jurors heard he told police he wanted both women "put down".
The court heard a frantic 999 call from Lucy Lee, who told the operator: "I don't know if I'm going to be alive if I go back in there. He shot my mum."The court heard a frantic 999 call from Lucy Lee, who told the operator: "I don't know if I'm going to be alive if I go back in there. He shot my mum."
'Scene of carnage''Scene of carnage'
Mark Dennis QC, prosecuting, told the trial police officers were met with a "scene of carnage" when they arrived at the farm in February.Mark Dennis QC, prosecuting, told the trial police officers were met with a "scene of carnage" when they arrived at the farm in February.
Christine Lee's body was found inside the main building, while the body of Lucy Lee was discovered outside, near the animal pens.Christine Lee's body was found inside the main building, while the body of Lucy Lee was discovered outside, near the animal pens.
Guns returned The mother had been shot in the chest from less than a foot away and her daughter received a fatal shot to the back of the head, according to post-mortem tests.
Guns belonging to Lowe were taken away by Surrey Police in March 2013 after Christine Lee's other daughter, Stacy Banner, reported she had been threatened, but they were later returned.Guns belonging to Lowe were taken away by Surrey Police in March 2013 after Christine Lee's other daughter, Stacy Banner, reported she had been threatened, but they were later returned.
Surrey Police said it was reviewing the return of the licence and had referred the matter to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC). Flawed decision
It also revealed three police staff members had misconduct notices issues to them over the matter. Outside the court, Ms Banner condemned the decision to give Lowe his weapons back.
The IPCC said it was independently investigating the decision to return the guns to Lowe. "John Lowe pulled the trigger but it was Surrey Police that put the gun in his hand," she said.
The force said it commissioned two independent reports into the return of the guns, which both indicated "the decision was flawed and did not meet national standards".
It also revealed three police staff members had misconduct notices issued to them over the matter.
A spokeswoman added: "Whilst the full investigation into this matter remains on-going, in light of these early findings we have spoken with members of Christine and Lucy Lee's family to apologise for this."
The IPCC said it was investigating the decision to return the guns to Lowe.
'Innocent lives'
Talking about Lucy's actions on that day, Ms Banner said: "The courage of her final words inspire me. She was so very brave. I am trying hard to draw on her strength and live up to her high standard as I move forward with my life but it is hard.
"John Lowe brutally and deliberately murdered my mum and my sister by shooting each of them at close range with a shotgun - they did not stand a chance.
"My life stopped when their lives ended on February 23 this year."
Following the verdict, Christine Lee's sister, Julia James, said: "John Lowe will never pay for taking the innocent lives of my sister Christine and my niece Lucy Lee.Following the verdict, Christine Lee's sister, Julia James, said: "John Lowe will never pay for taking the innocent lives of my sister Christine and my niece Lucy Lee.
"Christine and Lucy put the needs of others first, my sister had a heart of gold and was full of life. Lucy believed in protecting life and being kind to others.""Christine and Lucy put the needs of others first, my sister had a heart of gold and was full of life. Lucy believed in protecting life and being kind to others."
She added: "I witnessed on numerous occasions how caring Christine and Lucy had been towards Lowe. It has been heart-breaking listening to his lies."She added: "I witnessed on numerous occasions how caring Christine and Lucy had been towards Lowe. It has been heart-breaking listening to his lies."
Lowe told the court he never intended to kill the women and his gun went off three times accidently. Lowe told the court he never intended to kill the women and his gun went off three times accidentally due to the "ludicrous" way he was holding it because of his bad arthritis.
He had a "love-hate relationship" with the women and felt they were trying to control his affairs, it was said.He had a "love-hate relationship" with the women and felt they were trying to control his affairs, it was said.
After the shooting, Lowe told PC Richard McEwan: "They had to be put down, there was nothing else I could do.After the shooting, Lowe told PC Richard McEwan: "They had to be put down, there was nothing else I could do.
"I have had terrible problems with Christine. They wouldn't let me eat.""I have had terrible problems with Christine. They wouldn't let me eat."
Another officer, PC Christopher Fairclough, was also told by Lowe: "I am not sorry. I am out of the problem. They are causing me problems every day."Another officer, PC Christopher Fairclough, was also told by Lowe: "I am not sorry. I am out of the problem. They are causing me problems every day."
Christine Lee had been shot in the chest from less than a foot away and Lucy Lee received a fatal shot to the back of the head, according to post-mortem tests. Lowe also killed four dogs and following his arrest said to police: "I am sorry I put the dogs down but I couldn't leave them to anyone else to look after."
Jaswant Narwal, chief crown prosecutor for Crown Prosecution Service South East, said: "Anyone involved in this case cannot fail to have been moved by the extraordinary courage shown by Lucy Lee.Jaswant Narwal, chief crown prosecutor for Crown Prosecution Service South East, said: "Anyone involved in this case cannot fail to have been moved by the extraordinary courage shown by Lucy Lee.
"On the day of the killings, she called the emergency services to tell them that her mother had just been shot and that, despite the clear threat to her own life, she would be going back for her."On the day of the killings, she called the emergency services to tell them that her mother had just been shot and that, despite the clear threat to her own life, she would be going back for her.
"Tragically, Lowe killed her after she returned to the scene.""Tragically, Lowe killed her after she returned to the scene."
Lowe will be sentenced at Guildford Crown Court on 31 October.Lowe will be sentenced at Guildford Crown Court on 31 October.