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/coventry_warwickshire/6950802.stm
The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| Girlfriend grieves for shot biker | Girlfriend grieves for shot biker |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| The girlfriend of a Hells Angel biker shot dead on the M40 in Warwickshire says his death has left a hole in her life "that can never be filled". | |
| Gerry Tobin, 35, was shot in the back of the head as he rode home from the Bulldog Bash biker festival on Sunday. | Gerry Tobin, 35, was shot in the back of the head as he rode home from the Bulldog Bash biker festival on Sunday. |
| Mr Tobin lived with Rebecca Smith near a Harley-Davidson dealership where he worked as a mechanic in Mottingham, south-east London. | |
| Police described him as hard-working and said he had been a churchgoer. | Police described him as hard-working and said he had been a churchgoer. |
| A hole that can never be filled has been left in the lives and hearts of so many... Gerry was my life Rebecca Smith | A hole that can never be filled has been left in the lives and hearts of so many... Gerry was my life Rebecca Smith |
| Det Supt Ken Lawrence, who is leading the investigation, said: "We are getting a picture of a hard-working, friendly but private person who would put himself out to help others. | Det Supt Ken Lawrence, who is leading the investigation, said: "We are getting a picture of a hard-working, friendly but private person who would put himself out to help others. |
| "When he was younger and still living in Canada, Gerry was an active church member. | "When he was younger and still living in Canada, Gerry was an active church member. |
| "I don't think this was a plain and simple random attack. There must have been some precursor event." | |
| Police believe at least two shots were fired at Mr Tobin, although only one struck him. | Police believe at least two shots were fired at Mr Tobin, although only one struck him. |
| CCTV images | CCTV images |
| Det Supt Lawrence, who added that police had made "some significant progress", said there is no obvious motive. | |
| He said: "It's possible he was targeted either specifically because of something he had done or some disagreement that he had had. | He said: "It's possible he was targeted either specifically because of something he had done or some disagreement that he had had. |
| "It's not impossible that he was targeted simply because he was a Hells Angel." | "It's not impossible that he was targeted simply because he was a Hells Angel." |
| Det Supt Lawrence said he would be "astonished" if the murder had been carried out by another Hells Angel because of the code of loyalty within the organisation. | |
| But he said he was concerned fellow Hells Angels may seek to revenge Mr Tobin's death. | |
| Gerry Tobin was shot in the back of the head | Gerry Tobin was shot in the back of the head |
| He said that while he was sure the core membership of the Hells Angels would abide by their principles, other more peripheral members may look to carry out retaliation. | |
| In a statement, Ms Smith, 25, said: "I would like to take this opportunity to express my thanks and love to all that have supported me and our club at this awful time. | In a statement, Ms Smith, 25, said: "I would like to take this opportunity to express my thanks and love to all that have supported me and our club at this awful time. |
| "Thank you to all for your kind words, respects, sentiments and tributes. | "Thank you to all for your kind words, respects, sentiments and tributes. |
| "A hole that can never be filled has been left in the lives and hearts of so many. Gerry was my life." | "A hole that can never be filled has been left in the lives and hearts of so many. Gerry was my life." |
| A statement read out by the London Chapter of the Hells Angels on behalf of her said: "To those who knew him, Gerry stood out in the crowd as a true gentleman. | |
| "His charming personality and quick-witted humour always kept everyone smiling. | |
| "He was Rebecca's soul mate and she feels truly blessed to have spent five wonderful years of her life - the best five years of her life - with such a wonderful man." | "He was Rebecca's soul mate and she feels truly blessed to have spent five wonderful years of her life - the best five years of her life - with such a wonderful man." |
| Memorial fund | |
| The Canadian had been riding alongside two friends on his Harley-Davidson FXSTB 1500 Night Train after leaving the Bulldog Bash, held at Long Marston Airfield, near Stratford-upon-Avon, when he was shot dead. | |
| Police said they now believed the green Rover 620 seen near the incident contained at least two and possibly three occupants. | |
| CCTV images have been located from a number of places and forensic evidence from the motorway is being examined. | |
| Warwickshire Police have received more than 300 calls from people in the UK and abroad about the case. | Warwickshire Police have received more than 300 calls from people in the UK and abroad about the case. |
| They said the inquiry had some help from bikers' organisations but the response of the Hells Angels had been less than completely open. | |
| The London Hells Angels have set up a memorial fund for Mr Tobin and their website has been deluged with messages from around the world. | The London Hells Angels have set up a memorial fund for Mr Tobin and their website has been deluged with messages from around the world. |
| A biker event planned for next month, the Chop and Rod show at Henfold Lakes, in Surrey, has been postponed as a result of the shooting. | A biker event planned for next month, the Chop and Rod show at Henfold Lakes, in Surrey, has been postponed as a result of the shooting. |