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.