Nightclub killer died in crash

Glen Hudson was shot in the head at close range

A gunman who killed a soldier at a party died in a road traffic accident before he could be arrested, an inquest heard.

Army physical training instructor Glen Hudson was shot at the Elements nightclub in Bournemouth, Dorset in December 2001.

Tuesday's inquest into his death was told how detectives were ready to arrest their chief suspect, simply identified as CD, when he died in a crash on 29 August, 2002.

Police chiefs are refusing to name the killer of 35-year-old Mr Hudson, who served with the Royal Horse Artillery at Tidworth, Wiltshire.

Mr Hudson's family were told who his killer was

Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Katon, of Dorset Police, said: "I discussed the death of the suspect with Glen's family and I hope they are satisfied that the suspect was the person responsible for their son's murder.

"Dorset Police is not releasing any details that would lead to the identity of the person that we believe shot and killed Glen Hudson as the suspect died before his guilt or innocence could be determined by a court of law."

Mr Katon said the suspect had a long criminal record and was believed to have been on drugs.

Detectives say Mr Hudson was simply "standing in the wrong place at the wrong time" when he was hit by a bullet intended for someone else during an argument.

Unlawful killing

The argument, which started with one man asking another for a cigarette, ended with the man referred to as CD pulling out a gun and firing it.

The bullet passed through the nose of another man before entering Mr Hudson's head sideways, the impact of which later killed him.

The inquest recorded a verdict of unlawful killing.

Mr Hudson's father, Austin Hudson, from Walthamstow, east London, said in a statement: "It is a shame that the person that killed Glen will never appear before a court - but the family is satisfied that the person that police were about to arrest and question was responsible for Glen's murder."