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Horden shooting victims unlawfully killed Coroner calls for gun reform after Horden shootings
(35 minutes later)
Three women shot dead in a house in County Durham were unlawfully killed, a coroner has found. A coroner has called for gun licensing reform after ruling three women shot dead in a house in County Durham were unlawfully killed.
Michael Atherton, 42, shot himself, his partner Susan McGoldrick, her sister Alison Turnbull and Ms Turnbull's daughter Tanya on New Year's Day 2012 in Horden. Michael Atherton, 42, shot himself, his partner Susan McGoldrick, her sister Alison Turnbull and Ms Turnbull's daughter Tanya on New Year's Day 2012.
At an inquest in Crook, coroner Andrew Tweddle recorded that the three women were unlawfully killed. The inquest heard he legally owned weapons despite a history of domestic abuse.
Mr Tweddle found that Atherton took his own life. The police watchdog said Durham Police missed opportunities to assess him.
The inquest was told Atherton legally owned six weapons, including three shotguns.
The coroner heard Atherton had his guns confiscated in 2008 but shortly after they were returned to him with a written "final warning" .
Andrew Tweddle said the way police handled applications for shotgun and firearms licences was so inadequate it was "fortuitous" there had not been more tragedies.
Durham Police said it had reviewed thousands of gun licences since the deaths and revoked more than 100.
Nicholas Long from the Independent Police Complaints Commission said the force had "missed valuable opportunities" to assess Atherton's suitability to be granted a licence.
He said; "Not only did the IPCC investigation uncover a wanton lack of intrusive inquiries by Durham Constabulary, it also identified poor practices which reflect woeful record keeping.
"While some of the failings were down to individuals, the underlying issue was Durham Constabulary's lack of adequate systems and safeguards. The force did not have clear policies or procedures in place for dealing with issues presented by an applicant like Atherton."