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29/06/2006
Three found guilty in 'revenge killing' murder
Three men have been found guilty of conspiring to murder a married couple, found shot dead at their seaside home.
John Stirland, 55, and his wife, Joan, 53, were found shot dead at their house in Trusthorpe, Lincolnshire in August 2004.
John Russell, 29, of Northcote Way, Nottingham, Michael McNee, 21, of no fixed address and a 39-year-old defendant, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were found guilty of the murder at Birmingham Crown Court.
Five other defendants - Shane Bird, 39, of Carlton Hill, Nottingham, Kevin Holm, 38, of Cliff Road, Carlton, Lanelle Douglas, 20, Andrew McKinnon, 22, both of no fixed address and a 40-year-old who cannot be named for legal reasons - were cleared of the charges.
The court heard that the catalyst for the murders was the death of a teenager after the murder of Marvyn Bradshaw, by Mrs Stirland's son Michael O'Brien in 2003.
The 18-year-old, who was with Mr Bradshaw on the night he was shot, had been unable to cope after the murder and had turned to drugs, dying of pnuemonia a year after the murder took place.
Mr and Mrs Stirland were murdered within a week of the teenagers death. Two men broke into their home, armed with Beretta pistols, and shot Mr Stirland six times and his wife four times.
The couple had moved to Trusthorpe eight months before the murder after their former home in Nottingham had been targeted in a gun attack.
Prosecutor Timothy Spencer QC told the court that the gang's vengeance had been "swift and devastating".
However, the prosecution was unable to establish who had pulled the trigger and admitted that not all the gang members had been traced.
(KMcA/GB)
John Stirland, 55, and his wife, Joan, 53, were found shot dead at their house in Trusthorpe, Lincolnshire in August 2004.
John Russell, 29, of Northcote Way, Nottingham, Michael McNee, 21, of no fixed address and a 39-year-old defendant, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were found guilty of the murder at Birmingham Crown Court.
Five other defendants - Shane Bird, 39, of Carlton Hill, Nottingham, Kevin Holm, 38, of Cliff Road, Carlton, Lanelle Douglas, 20, Andrew McKinnon, 22, both of no fixed address and a 40-year-old who cannot be named for legal reasons - were cleared of the charges.
The court heard that the catalyst for the murders was the death of a teenager after the murder of Marvyn Bradshaw, by Mrs Stirland's son Michael O'Brien in 2003.
The 18-year-old, who was with Mr Bradshaw on the night he was shot, had been unable to cope after the murder and had turned to drugs, dying of pnuemonia a year after the murder took place.
Mr and Mrs Stirland were murdered within a week of the teenagers death. Two men broke into their home, armed with Beretta pistols, and shot Mr Stirland six times and his wife four times.
The couple had moved to Trusthorpe eight months before the murder after their former home in Nottingham had been targeted in a gun attack.
Prosecutor Timothy Spencer QC told the court that the gang's vengeance had been "swift and devastating".
However, the prosecution was unable to establish who had pulled the trigger and admitted that not all the gang members had been traced.
(KMcA/GB)
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12 August 2004
Murder victim talked to police moments before shootings
A couple who are thought to have been killed in a revenge hit on Sunday called police just moments before they were confronted by gunmen, it has emerged today.
Murder victim talked to police moments before shootings
A couple who are thought to have been killed in a revenge hit on Sunday called police just moments before they were confronted by gunmen, it has emerged today.
11 August 2004
Identities of Lincolnshire murder victims released
Lincolnshire police have released the identities of the couple who were murdered in Trusthorpe last Sunday. The two victims have been named as John Stirland, 55, and Joan Stirland, 53. Mr and Mrs Stirland had lived in Trusthorpe for six months after moving on from the Nottinghamshire area.
Identities of Lincolnshire murder victims released
Lincolnshire police have released the identities of the couple who were murdered in Trusthorpe last Sunday. The two victims have been named as John Stirland, 55, and Joan Stirland, 53. Mr and Mrs Stirland had lived in Trusthorpe for six months after moving on from the Nottinghamshire area.
26 August 2004
Teen held over Lincolnshire double murder
A teenager has been arrested in connection with the murders of a couple who were shot dead in Lincolnshire earlier this month. The 19-year-old is expected to be questioned by Lincolnshire police later today. Joan Stirland, 53, and John Stirland, 55, were shot dead in their home in Radio St Peters, Trusthorpe, between 2pm and 2.
Teen held over Lincolnshire double murder
A teenager has been arrested in connection with the murders of a couple who were shot dead in Lincolnshire earlier this month. The 19-year-old is expected to be questioned by Lincolnshire police later today. Joan Stirland, 53, and John Stirland, 55, were shot dead in their home in Radio St Peters, Trusthorpe, between 2pm and 2.
27 August 2004
Extension granted to question double murder suspect
Police holding a teenager in connection with the murders of a couple in Lincolnshire have been given an extension to continue questioning the suspect. Lincolnshire police have been granted leave to hold the 19-year-old for another 36 hours from 10am today.
Extension granted to question double murder suspect
Police holding a teenager in connection with the murders of a couple in Lincolnshire have been given an extension to continue questioning the suspect. Lincolnshire police have been granted leave to hold the 19-year-old for another 36 hours from 10am today.
12 December 2006
Man found guilty of Pc shooting
A man has been found guilty of the attempted murder of a trainee police officer. Trevon Thomas, 24, of Melford Road, Bilborough, shot Pc Rachael Bown, also 24, three times as she investigated a burglary in the Lenton area of Nottingham on February 14.
Man found guilty of Pc shooting
A man has been found guilty of the attempted murder of a trainee police officer. Trevon Thomas, 24, of Melford Road, Bilborough, shot Pc Rachael Bown, also 24, three times as she investigated a burglary in the Lenton area of Nottingham on February 14.
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