'Revenge' murder hunt continues

The Stirlands had lived in the town for about six months

Detectives investigating the double murder of a couple in their seaside home have spoken to potential witnesses one week after the killings.

Joan and John Stirland, 53 and 55, were shot dead in Trusthope, Lincs, where they had fled when their home in Nottingham was targeted by gunmen.

It is thought their deaths could be revenge for an earlier murder committed by Mrs Stirland's son, Michael O'Brien.

Police spoke to drivers and pedestrians on Sunday, one week after the killings.

Potential witnesses were stopped in Trusthope, near the murder scene, and in Hannah-cum-Hagnaby where a burning car was found - thought to be linked to the killings.

Prowler spotted

Police are hunting two men dressed in blue boiler suits who were spotted running from the bungalow to the stolen car.

Det Supt Graham White said: "We spoke to a number of people - motorists and pedestrians - who were in the vicinity of the murder scene or the burning car on the day of the murders.

"It was a useful exercise and we will be evaluating the information we gained over the next few days."

The car was stolen at the end of July

Mrs Stirland called police at about 1130 BST on Sunday, 8 August after a neighbour spotted a prowler near the bungalow the previous night.

A Nottinghamshire Police officer returned her call at about 1400 BST to talk about her fears, but within minutes of that call it is believed she and her husband were shot dead.

The burning car, a Volkswagen Passat, was spotted just before 1430 BST but it was not until 2130 BST that an officer visited the Stirlands' home and discovered the two bodies.

O'Brien was told of his mother and stepfather's murders last Monday in prison, where he is serving a life sentence for the murder of Marvyn Bradshaw.

Mr Bradshaw was shot dead in a car outside the Sporting Chance pub in Top Valley, Nottingham on 30 August 2003. He is believed to have been a victim of mistaken identity.