Police were working "in isolation", inquest hears
THE detective in charge of a secret operation to bring down organised crime gangs in Nottingham said he was unaware of the danger to murdered couple John and Joan Stirland.
The couple's Carlton house had been shot at – but the officer said intelligence-sharing was difficult because each part of the police operation was working in isolation.
Mr and Mrs Stirland were shot dead at their home in Trusthorpe, in Lincolnshire, in August 2004.
The murders were in revenge for Mrs Stirland's son, Michael O'Brien, killing Marvyn Bradshaw – an incident which indirectly led to the death of crime boss Colin Gunn's nephew, Jamie Gunn.
Giving evidence via video-link at an inquest into the couple's death yesterday, the detective – known only as Officer D – said: "At the time, we were aware that [Colin] Gunn was after O'Brien and details of retribution and reprisals had become apparent.
"But there was no direct references to his (O'Brien's) family. I never heard of a threat, or had any knowledge of a threat, to Mr and Mrs Stirland until the day following their murder. I was unaware of who Mr and Mrs Stirland were."
The officer was in charge of overseeing Project Starburst – which targeted organised crime gangs. Due to corruption within the force, it had to be kept secret.
6 Comments
by Roy Turner, Gedling
Thursday, February 04 2010, 10:08AM
“I think our police are brilliant. You try going at 32 mph in a 30 mph zone or make any innocent remark about gays , muslims or anybody else who is not white ethnic British ( you can say anything you want about them). You will soon get your collar felt and hauled before the courts to be sentenced for your crime. The system is a joke.”
by Steve, Notts
Wednesday, February 03 2010, 10:26PM
“The police are a joke and every one knows it even the police. The object is to get in and get out as soon as possible with a pension either with a trumped up complaint such as stress or some minor injury. 4 hours at time and a third overtime for answering a phone at home just about sums up the corrupt culture to me. What the police need is thorugh investigation into bad practices root and branch.”
by monty, outside
Wednesday, February 03 2010, 12:21PM
“officer d does the d stand for dummy some village awaits his return”
by John, Notts
Wednesday, February 03 2010, 11:04AM
“The whole thing was a shambles because lets not forget in the end it wasn't the Nottinghamshire Constabulary who finally brought Colin to justice it was Lincolnshire Police”
by steve, the green
Wednesday, February 03 2010, 10:58AM
“steve green was fully aware of the Gunn's activities they were allowed to continue their reign of terror & intimidation with his ineptitude solely to blame
How many senior officers were on the Gunns payroll will be buried like the Stricklands (enquiry) & Marion Bates etc etc”
by Mel, City
Wednesday, February 03 2010, 8:49AM
“Correct me if I am wrong, but the police were not working in isolation and in fact working very closely with the Gunns and two were removed from their posts for it? Maybe wrong?”