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22/02/2008
Police Criticised Over Trusthorpe Murders
The police's protection of a couple murdered in a revenge attack, has been criticised in an investigation by an independent watchdog.
John and Joan Stirland were found shot dead at their bungalow in the Lincolnshire village of Trusthorpe in 2004, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) found.
The couple were killed in revenge for a murder carried out by Mrs Stirland's son Michael O'Brien in Nottingham in 2003.
The watchdog said: "The report has concluded that the protection provided to Mr and Mrs Stirland by Nottinghamshire Police was below an acceptable level. They did not receive any professional advice on witness protection and their care was left to untrained officers."
The killings were ordered by Colin Gunn, 40, who is serving 35 years in prison for conspiracy to murder.
Michael McNee and John Russell, were also jailed for conspiracy to murder the Stirlands.
The report said: "It is accepted that the protection afforded to them on the night of the shooting at their home was good and the advice to move house was also sound. However, it was ill-conceived to allow them to leave Nottingham when their destination was unknown.
"There is evidence that Joan Stirland was confused at the time and didn't know what to do. The police should have closely managed their movements at that vulnerable time by taking some form of structured action to reflect their vulnerability and provided a degree of immediate support and protection, eg. by accompanying them to a hotel or place of refuge.
"There is no evidence of a proper risk assessment being carried out at the Trusthorpe address at any stage. A risk assessment would have included a visit to the premises and advice on suitability and security."
(CD)
John and Joan Stirland were found shot dead at their bungalow in the Lincolnshire village of Trusthorpe in 2004, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) found.
The couple were killed in revenge for a murder carried out by Mrs Stirland's son Michael O'Brien in Nottingham in 2003.
The watchdog said: "The report has concluded that the protection provided to Mr and Mrs Stirland by Nottinghamshire Police was below an acceptable level. They did not receive any professional advice on witness protection and their care was left to untrained officers."
The killings were ordered by Colin Gunn, 40, who is serving 35 years in prison for conspiracy to murder.
Michael McNee and John Russell, were also jailed for conspiracy to murder the Stirlands.
The report said: "It is accepted that the protection afforded to them on the night of the shooting at their home was good and the advice to move house was also sound. However, it was ill-conceived to allow them to leave Nottingham when their destination was unknown.
"There is evidence that Joan Stirland was confused at the time and didn't know what to do. The police should have closely managed their movements at that vulnerable time by taking some form of structured action to reflect their vulnerability and provided a degree of immediate support and protection, eg. by accompanying them to a hotel or place of refuge.
"There is no evidence of a proper risk assessment being carried out at the Trusthorpe address at any stage. A risk assessment would have included a visit to the premises and advice on suitability and security."
(CD)
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27 August 2004
Extension granted to question double murder suspect
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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.
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.
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