Derrick Bird: Inquest rules he killed 12 victims unlawfully

Father of two Derrick Bird shot dead 12 people, over the course of 45 minutes in West Cumbria last June, before killing himself with the rifle.

The jury, based in Workington, Cumbria, who returned the unlawful killing verdict had listened to harrowing evidence over the four week case. They heard how Bird started by killing his twin brother David Bird, and went on to kill solicitor Kevin Commons, before driving into Whitehaven town centre and shooting taxi driver Darren Rewcastle, 43.

The inquest heard that Bird had become convinced that he was going to prison for unpaid debts. His son, Graeme Bird, told the jury: “He was not his normal self when he came down. He did look a bit weary… He said he was going for a meeting with the accountant the following day and he said he was getting arrested and going to prison.”

He worked as a taxi driver and had fallings out with fellow drivers which, it was thought, contributed to his poor mental state. Mental health experts told the inquests he was “accumulating the aggrievances” and never forgot a slight.

I am 100 per cent certain mum and dad would want us to continue in life and enjoy it as much as possible. Mum was a very forgiving person and I’m sure she would want us to continue. Chris Jackson, whose parents were killed by Derrick Bird

Chris Jackson lost both his parents that day. Jennifer Jackson, 68, of Stockbridge, Wilton, was shot in the street and her husband was then killed as he was walking towards her.

Mr Jackson spoke to Channel 4 News about his feelings about Derrick Bird. He said that it became clear in the inquest that Bird had suffered from mental health problems.

“I don’t feel anything. He must have been a troubled individual, he must have been a vulnerable person, people must have picked on him and him being vulnerable it tipped him over the edge. If he was alive I could never forgive him for what he’s done. But he’s not here so there’s no point dwelling on it.”

He said the end of the inquest was a chance to begin to move forward: “We’ll never come to terms with it, but it’s put an end to official proceedings, we can get the anniversary out of the way in June, then begin to move on. I am 100 per cent certain mum and dad would want us to continue in life and enjoy it as much as possible. Mum was a very forgiving person and I’m sure she would want us to continue. The community has been great, they have supported us when we needed support, they are still there for us now. We should be thankful we live in such a small, friendly community.”

Among those who gave evidence was Neil Jakes, Bird’s best friend since school, who described him as “a normal person, just the same as everybody else”. He described how Bird’s mindset changed as he became anxious about debts and work, receiving a letter about tax.

Jakes, who saw him the day before the killings said that Bird told him: “I might as well top myself,” because he had not paid tax for 15 years.

Other people who were friendly with Bird told the jury about strange comments Bird had made. A fellow scuba diver described how Bird told him: “Whitehaven will be as famous as Dunblane.” When asked what that meant, he said: “You will see soon enough.”

CCTV footage

The inquest also heard how trained police negotiators repeatedly phoned and sent text messages to Bird before he killed himself.

On CCTV footage, Bird fires shots as people run for cover. He then drives on before stopping and shooting another taxi driver, Paul Wilson.

Mr Wilson told the jury that he thought Bird was “playing a prank” when he opened fire on him. He was walking along Scotch Street when Bird called him over to his taxi and shot him in the face. He said it was only when the police told him that he had been shot that he put his hand up to his face and realised it was bleeding.

One of the controversies discussed in the inquest was over whether ambulance staff should have entered the area to help wounded people while there was still a danger from Derrick Bird.

Assistant Chief Constable of West Mercia Police, Simon Chesterman ,said that emergency services should be prepared to risk their lives as part of their jobs. He told the inquest: “If I was commanding the incident, the overarching aim would be to protect the public from harm. We would expect emergency service staff to put themselves at risk to carry out this strategy. We cannot go on with this confusion as to response.”