A DATE has been set for an inquest into the deaths of three family members shot by a taxi driver.
Michael Atherton, 42, shot his partner Susan McGoldrick, 47, her sister Alison Turnbull, 44, and Alison’s daughter Tanya Turnbull, 24, before turning the gun on himself on New Year’s Day 2012, at his Horden home.
The inquest, expected to last two weeks, will be held at Crook Coroner’s Court in the first week of March.
Meanwhile, Alison’s son Bobby Turnbull, will meet with a top politician as part of a fight for stricter gun laws.
Bobby will meet Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper at the Houses of Parliament which he hopes will help his campaign for tighter gun controls, particularly where applicants have a history of domestic violence.
Atherton had a history of domestic violence and had his weapons removed by police in 2008, but he successfully applied to have them returned.
Bobby, 24, of Blackhall, has already been praised after Home Secretary Theresa May outlined proposed changes which could see prospective gun owners needing their partner’s backing to reduce the risk to domestic violence victims.
Bobby said: “I’m looking forward to hearing what Ms Cooper has to say, to give her my ideas and to see what she could put in place if she ever came into power. I’m looking forward to getting my point across and can’t wait to hear how she can help.”
A spokesman for Ms Cooper said the gun licensing regime does need to be tightened up and that Bobby’s campaign is a very important part of Labour’s campaign.
Twitter: @SunderlandEcho
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