This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/john-lowe-pensioner-found-guilty-of-puppy-farm-murders-9825571.html
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| John Lowe: Pensioner found guilty of puppy farm murders | John Lowe: Pensioner found guilty of puppy farm murders |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A pensioner has been found guilty of the murder of his partner and her daughter at his puppy farm in Surrey. | A pensioner has been found guilty of the murder of his partner and her daughter at his puppy farm in Surrey. |
| John Lowe, 82, from Farnham, was convicted of shooting dead Christine Lee, 66, and Lucy Lee, 40, by a jury at Guildford Crown Court on Wednesday. | John Lowe, 82, from Farnham, was convicted of shooting dead Christine Lee, 66, and Lucy Lee, 40, by a jury at Guildford Crown Court on Wednesday. |
| The bodies of the two women were found at Keepers Cottage Stud in February. Four dogs had also been killed. | The bodies of the two women were found at Keepers Cottage Stud in February. Four dogs had also been killed. |
| During the trial, Lowe, a dog breeder, had claimed that the deaths were a "terrible accident" after a struggle over the gun as he went to destroy some dogs. He had denied two counts of murder and a firearms charge. | During the trial, Lowe, a dog breeder, had claimed that the deaths were a "terrible accident" after a struggle over the gun as he went to destroy some dogs. He had denied two counts of murder and a firearms charge. |
| But jurors heard that he had told police he had "put down" the two women because they had been "giving me s*** for weeks". | But jurors heard that he had told police he had "put down" the two women because they had been "giving me s*** for weeks". |
| They also heard that Lucy made a "desperate" 999 call to police saying that Lowe had killed her mother before telling the operator that she was going back to confront him. | They also heard that Lucy made a "desperate" 999 call to police saying that Lowe had killed her mother before telling the operator that she was going back to confront him. |
| She was then shot twice, with Lowe reloading the .410 calibre double-barrelled weapon between shots. | She was then shot twice, with Lowe reloading the .410 calibre double-barrelled weapon between shots. |
| Mark Dennis QC, prosecuting, said that police officers were met with a "scene of carnage" when they arrived at the farm. | Mark Dennis QC, prosecuting, said that police officers were met with a "scene of carnage" when they arrived at the farm. |
| The body of Christine Lee was found inside the main building, and Lucy Lee was discovered outside near the animal pens. | The body of Christine Lee was found inside the main building, and Lucy Lee was discovered outside near the animal pens. |
| Speakiing after 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 was a mother, auntie and grandmother and was much loved. | Speakiing after 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 was a mother, auntie and grandmother and was much loved. |
| "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. |
| "I witnessed on numerous occasions how caring Christine and Lucy had been towards Lowe. It has been heart-breaking listening to his lies. | "I witnessed on numerous occasions how caring Christine and Lucy had been towards Lowe. It has been heart-breaking listening to his lies. |
| "We thank the police and everyone involved in this case for their help." | "We thank the police and everyone involved in this case for their help." |
| Lowe will be sentenced at Guildford Crown Court on 31 October. | Lowe will be sentenced at Guildford Crown Court on 31 October. |
| Additional reporting by PA | Additional reporting by PA |