11/07/2006

Former soldier remanded over murder charge

A former soldier has been remanded in custody charged with the murders of four people at the weekend.

David Bradley, 40, and a former Gulf war veteran, was charged yesterday with the murders of four members of his family, who were found shot dead at a house in Benwell Grove, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne on Sunday.

The victims have been named as Bradley's uncle Peter Purcell and his aunt Josie, both 70, and two of their sons Keith, 44, and Glen, 41.

It is understood that the accused spoke only once to confirm his personal details during the brief court hearing and no bail application was made.

It is understood that he has a history of mental illness.

He will reappear at Newcastle Crown Court on July 18.

It is understood that on Sunday morning, Bradley walked into Westgate Police Station in Newcastle, carrying a sports bag containing a handgun fitted with a silencer, a pump-action shotgun and a quantity of ammunition and told police that a number of people were dead at a house in Benwell Grove.

He also told police that the bag contained an improvised explosive device, forcing the police station to be evacuated while bomb disposal experts carried out a controlled explosion.

A firearms team were dispatched to the address and found the bodies of the four members of the Purcell family a short time later.

Police believe that the victims were killed some time between 9pm on Saturday night and 2:15am on Sunday morning.

Post-mortem examinations were carried out yesterday and it was confirmed that the victims died as a result of their injuries.

No one else is being sought in connection with the incident and police in Newcastle have appealed for information from anyone who saw or heard anything around 45 Benwell Grove from teatime on Saturday onwards, or who has any information about the family which would be of use to the investigation.

The contact number in relation to this incident is 0191 2218509.

(EF/SP)

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