This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/shropshire/7978124.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Mansion fire man's money worries Mansion fire man's money worries
(about 2 hours later)
A businessman thought to have killed his wife and daughter before torching their mansion was in "severe financial difficulty", an inquest has heard.A businessman thought to have killed his wife and daughter before torching their mansion was in "severe financial difficulty", an inquest has heard.
Christopher Foster's thermal insulation firm Ulva Ltd went into liquidation in October 2007.Christopher Foster's thermal insulation firm Ulva Ltd went into liquidation in October 2007.
Police believe he killed Jill, 49, and Kirstie, 15 before burning their £1.2m home in Maesbrook, Shropshire. Police believe he killed Jill, 49, and Kirstie, 15, before burning their £1.2m home in Maesbrook, Shropshire.
A Home Office pathologist said Mr Foster probably died as a result of smoke inhalation in last August's fire.A Home Office pathologist said Mr Foster probably died as a result of smoke inhalation in last August's fire.
Police opened a murder inquiry after tests showed Mrs Foster had been shot in the back of the head.Police opened a murder inquiry after tests showed Mrs Foster had been shot in the back of the head.
'No evidence''No evidence'
A gun owned by Mr Foster and spent and unspent cartridges were found scattered around the kitchen, driveway and 16-acre grounds of Osbaston House.A gun owned by Mr Foster and spent and unspent cartridges were found scattered around the kitchen, driveway and 16-acre grounds of Osbaston House.
Firearms expert Dr Phillip Rydeard told the inquest that pieces of lead and bullets found in Mrs Foster's skull and those of her daughter Kirstie "were consistent with having originated from" a German made .22 bolt action rifle, which had been fitted with a silencer. The family claimed kidnap threats had been made in respect of Kirstie
Pathologist Dr Alexander Kolar told the hearing at Shrewsbury Magistrates' Court there was "no evidence" that Mr Foster had died of a gunshot wound. Firearms expert Dr Phillip Rydeard told the inquest that pieces of lead and bullets found in Mrs Foster's skull and that of her daughter Kirstie "were consistent with having originated from" a German made .22 bolt action rifle, which had been fitted with a silencer.
The £1.2m mansion was destroyed in the fire Pathologist Dr Alexander Kolar told the hearing at Shrewsbury Magistrates' Court there was no evidence that Mr Foster had died of a gunshot wound.
He said Mr Foster would have been alive during the fire but probably died in "tens of minutes" from breathing in smoke. He said Mr Foster would have been alive during the fire, but probably died in "tens of minutes" from breathing in smoke.
His body was found lying on top of his wife in a room below their bedroom.His body was found lying on top of his wife in a room below their bedroom.
Stephen Langton, representing Mr Foster's brother Andrew and mother Enid, said the family believed there had been kidnap threats made against Kirstie Foster.Stephen Langton, representing Mr Foster's brother Andrew and mother Enid, said the family believed there had been kidnap threats made against Kirstie Foster.
He said Peter Day, a lorry driver from a nearby animal feed company, saw three men "loitering at the property" on the morning of the fire.He said Peter Day, a lorry driver from a nearby animal feed company, saw three men "loitering at the property" on the morning of the fire.
Mr Day asked a colleague to raise the alarm after spotting an "orange glow" from the road leading to the five-bedroom house and firefighters were called at 0430 BST on 26 August and quickly alerted police.Mr Day asked a colleague to raise the alarm after spotting an "orange glow" from the road leading to the five-bedroom house and firefighters were called at 0430 BST on 26 August and quickly alerted police.
Under cross-examination Det Con Paul Rogers of West Mercia Police was asked whether police were aware of the kidnap allegations and the witness. Under cross-examination, Det Con Paul Rogers of West Mercia Police was asked whether police were aware of the kidnap allegations and the witness.
Mr Rogers said officers had no witness statements to such effect and had only learned of the claims on Wednesday evening but said the force would investigate. The £1.2m mansion was destroyed in the fire
Heating oil Mr Rogers said officers had no witness statements to such effect and had only learned of the claims on Wednesday evening, but said the force would investigate.
The two-day hearing was also told the ruined millionaire had told police in December 2005 his ex-accountant was blackmailing him over a joint property deal in Cyprus.The two-day hearing was also told the ruined millionaire had told police in December 2005 his ex-accountant was blackmailing him over a joint property deal in Cyprus.
Two defendants were prosecuted and found not guilty at Shrewsbury Crown Court in November 2006. Two people were found not guilty at Shrewsbury Crown Court in November 2006.
The inquest was shown photographs of the property, which was surveilled by three CCTV cameras, before and after the blaze. The inquest was shown photographs of the property, which was monitored by three CCTV cameras, before and after the blaze.
Photos of the property's dining room also displayed containers of heating oil on the floor.Photos of the property's dining room also displayed containers of heating oil on the floor.
The hearing was told an oil tank used to heat the property was situated in the outbuildings of the house and would have been full at the time of the fire.The hearing was told an oil tank used to heat the property was situated in the outbuildings of the house and would have been full at the time of the fire.