A man executed his estranged wife, his mother-in-law and the pet dog with a semi-automatic assault rifle he stole from a firing range, a court has heard.
Craig Savage, 35, pressed the rifle into his wife-of-five-years Michelle Savage, 32, and Heather Whitbread, 53, before firing 13 times, Lewes Crown Court was told.
The jury was told he also killed his wifes pet dog Zeus but his .22 calibre rifle jammed when he then tried to kill a policeman at the house in St Leonard-on-Sea, East Sussex, the jury heard.
Ms Savages younger sister Raven Whitbread, who was seven-months-pregnant, and her grandmother Patricia Groves cowered in the semi-detached home during the killings in March.
A month before, Savage had been kicked out of the home after he broke up with Michelle two days before Valentines Day after Heather had walked in on him pinning Zeus down at the house.
Advertisement
Advertisement
The jury were told he begged her to take him back and threatened her with revenge porn before slashing her car tyres on her birthday a week before the killings.
Mother left paralysed after falling from bed during sex session
He claims the killings were a complete accident after he tripped and the gun fired during a struggle and he only wanted to kidnap Michelle Savage and watch him carry out a cop-assisted suicide.
Jurors heard he was arrested near the scene after an hour-and-a-half-long police search but told officers in interview he had only wanted to kidnap his estranged wife and have her watch police shoot him as punishment.
Savage, 35, denies two counts of murder and one of possession of the firearm and its ammunition but has admitted robbing the rifle from a firing range in the town on March 16.
He wore a dark blazer and white shirt with his top button undone and bowed his head in the dock as his three-week trial started today.
Opening the prosecutions case at Lewes Crown Court, Ben Aina QC said police officers were called to the semi-detached home in St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex, on March 16.
He said: Michelle had been shot about seven times, her mother Heather Whitbread, had been shot about six times.
Prince Harry and Meghan receive first baby gifts as they kick-start Australia tour
One of the entry wounds on each woman was accompanied by a muzzle mark – that indicates that the firearm was pressed fairly close to each woman and discharged in an execution type manner.
Advertisement
Advertisement
At the time of the shooting within the address was Michelles younger sister, Raven Whitbread. She was seven months pregnant at the time. Also in the address was Michelles grandmother, Patricia Groves.
Fortunately both these women were able to hide during the shooting and were physically unharmed.
Savage also allegedly accused Michelle of being unfaithful and giving him a sexually transmitted disease.
Reading the messages before the killings on March 16, Mr Aina said Savage sent his wife: For me sex was the best and biggest part of being with you.
I want every last little piece, every last sock and stocking – the fire will be satisfying.
Savage also said: If all you say is true then that means Im a psycho bunny killer who eats kids for fun.
Evil dad jailed for life after shaking baby and causing him fatal brain injuries
All I want is to see you one last time, saying thank you for the good times and not be left confused.
One part of my brain says, “she loves you and doesnt want to make it hard for herself to see you” and one part says, “she hates you and wants to see me suffer and burn”.
But Michelle replied: I cant make it any clearer you are trying to control every last interaction and decision whether you release or not.
We already said our goodbye and I want to leave it at that.
Advertisement
Im done with this conversation, Im busy packing your stuff, no more, just fucking stop.
Despite this, he continued constantly texting his alleged victim as she added: What you are doing right now is nasty. Jesus Christ, you dont hear a goddamn word I say, so what the hells the point?
More: UK
Jurors heard he replied: I do hear, just not the ways you are saying, please let me just ask the questions I need to ask.
I desperately want to put this to an end, you are suffering.
Mr Aina added: He accuses her of having passed on an STD to him. The bottom line will be she did not pass an STD to him, she was not being unfaithful to him but he decided now this was his change of tack to try and control.
Jurors heard she answered: Stop messaging me, Ive nothing to say to you ever about anything.
Jurors were told he stole the rifle from Target Sport 1066 stores firing range before the killings and then tried to kill a police officer with it at the scene.
Savage, of no fixed abode, denies two counts of murder and one of possession of the firearm with intent to endanger life on March 16.
Advertisement
The trial continues.
Advertisement
Advertisement
[contf]
[contfnew]
METRO
[contfnewc]
[contfnewc]
