Sallie Bennett-Jenkins QC began the inquest into the murders of Christine and Lucy Lee at Surrey Coroners Court yesterday. The mother and daughter were shot and killed by 82 year old John Lowe at his puppy farm in Farnham in 2014. Lowe was convicted of murder in 2014, jailed for life with a minimum of 25 years and has since died in prison.
The year before the murder, Lowe’s firearms were confiscated by Surrey Police after an investigation into an allegation of threats to kill his partner Christine Lee’s other daughter, Stacey Banner, but no further action was taken and his shotguns were returned to him.
A jury inquest into the women’s deaths is examining how aware police and other agencies were of the domestic issues at the farm and the threat Lowe posed. The inquest jury will hear evidence of the removal of John Lowe’s shotguns by Surrey police in March 2013; of the return of the shotguns in July 2013 by Surrey police firearms licensing department; and of ongoing involvement of John Lowe with Surrey police prior to the fatal shootings.
The inquest was resumed after HM Senior Coroner for Surrey Richard Travers ruled that it was arguable that failings on the part of the Surrey police may have contributed to the deaths.
Sallie represents Stacey Banner and was instructed by Sarah Ricca of Deighton Pierce Glynn solicitors.
The inquest is expected to last 5 weeks.
To read about the case in the national press, please click the below links:
BBC | Daily Mail | Telegraph
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