From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] MURDERED WIFE WAS OFFERED POLICE PROTECTION 121456 JUL 00 By Jane Merrick, PA News A young woman murdered by her husband had been offered a safe house by police after he threatened to kill her just days before her death, it emerged today. Joanne Pomeroy, 24, was gunned down by her estranged husband Christopher who then shot dead her mother, Diane Pritchard, before hanging himself in nearby woods. The two women activated a panic button when the gunman entered their home in Prestwich, Greater Manchester, but by the time police arrived they were dead. Detectives said today that Pomeroy, also 24, who had been released on licence from prison, had telephoned his estranged wife with a death threat a few days before the killings. It is understood Pomeroy was released five months ago after being jailed for 27 months in July last year for a string of crimes including aggravated burglary and making threats to kill his wife. A warrant was out for his arrest for making the threats to kill and for breaking the conditions of his release from prison. Mrs Pomeroy was offered a safe house in the area but she refused and remained at the house she shared with her mother in Northurst Drive. Police installed a panic button which would alert them if the father-of-three turned up. But on Monday, just after 4pm, one of the women opened the door to Pomeroy, of no fixed address, and was shot. Neighbours called police after she staggered out in to the street with a wound to her neck. She was taken to Manchester Royal Infirmary where she later died. The other woman was then wounded by shots and later died in the same hospital. Brandishing the gun, Pomeroy then hijacked a white Vauxhall Astra on nearby Windsor Road and drove to Abraham Moss where he was found hanging. A firearm has already been recovered. Mrs Pritchard, 41, who also has a teenage son, is believed to have run a fast food business with her daughter. A spokeswoman for Greater Manchester police said: "Joanne Pomeroy reported to police that she had received threats to kill her. "She was offered to go to a safe house in Prestwich but refused that offer. "A Home Office panic alarm was installed in her home. "There was a warrant out for the arrest of Christopher Pomeroy for making threats to kill. He was also wanted for breach of his licence from prison." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Much good did the panic button do them! Kenneth Pantling -- But did they offer her a gun and show her how to use it? Because frankly I am hard pressed to think what else would have stopped a criminal out on license who managed to illegally acquire a firearm so quickly. And is our criminal justice system pathetic or what? Steve. Cybershooters website: http://www.cybershooters.org List admin: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___________________________________________________________ T O P I C A The Email You Want. http://www.topica.com/t/16 Newsletters, Tips and Discussions on Your Favorite Topics
