Shot father was unlawfully killed

Daniel King died from multiple gunshot wounds

An unemployed man found shot dead at his home in Kent was unlawfully killed, a coroner has ruled.

Daniel King, 51, was shot four times at his house in Medina Road, Ditton, near Maidstone, in the early hours of 17 October 2008.

The inquest at County Hall in Maidstone heard it was impossible for Mr King's wounds to have been self-inflicted.

A murder investigation by Kent Police involved more than 40 staff but no arrests or charges have been made.

Mr King, who was born in Sidcup, south-east London, and was also known as Shep, was married to Celia, 50.

Violent death

The court was told the inquest was initially opened on 24 October and adjourned for 28 days under Rule 26, in anticipation of a possible charge connected to Mr King's death.

Coroner Roger Sykes said the hearing was sanctioned on the understanding it was not anticipated any person would be imminently charged with an offence relating to his death.

Det Ch Ins Jon Bumpus, from Kent Police, said the circumstances at the scene clearly pointed to a death due to violence.

A post-mortem examination was carried out on 18 October by Home Office and consultant forensic pathologist Dr David Rouse at Medway Maritime Hospital in Gillingham, followed by a second examination on 24 November.

In a verbal and written report following the examination, Dr Rouse concluded the cause of Mr King's death was due to "multiple gunshot wounds".

Investigation continuing

Mr Bumpus said he agreed with Dr Rouse's other observations that it was impossible for Mr King's gunshot wounds to have been self-inflicted or the result of a weapon being accidentally discharged several times.

He said: "Investigations are continuing. There are still a number of lines of inquiry to investigate, but I am content there is no need for an adjournment."

One week after the incident officers carried out road checks in the Medina Road and New Road area to appeal for information.

Officers also carried out a partial reconstruction of events and examined CCTV footage showing images of people approaching a car in New Road, close to its junction with Medina Road, around the time of Mr King's killing.