Doorman gun killing was unlawful

Jimmy Millen was outside his home when he was gunned down

The death of a man shot by a pillion passenger on a motorbike in 2001 was unlawful killing, a coroner has said.

Jimmy Millen, 27, was shot at close range outside his home in Hastings, East Sussex. The club doorman was married with three children.

Officers said there were several people in the area at the time of the shooting but the killers were never caught.

Mr Millen's family walked out of the hearing calling it "a sham" because two witnesses were not there in person.

The hearing was told two witnesses had been nearby at the time of the killing but neither were in court and their written statements were read out.

It may well be that somebody from the criminal fraternity actually contacts us and tells us exactly what happened Det Supt Kevin Moore

Jimmy Millen's father, Fred Millen, said: "Two people actually at the scene when the shooting took place have not come to court so how can you have an inquest without them? There's no point."

Summing up at Hastings Magistrates' Court, the coroner Alan Craze said: "The family have decided not to participate. That is their choice."

He said the only verdict could be unlawful killing.

Mr Millen was working on a car outside his home in Tile Barn Road when he was shot four times at close range by the pillion rider of a black motorcycle.

No arrests

After the shooting, police said Mr Millen had his back to his killers. He crawled to nearby Carpenter Drive but died in hospital.

It was later revealed that he had a criminal record after serving a sentence for assault.

Nobody was arrested for the killing and inquiries are at a standstill.

After the hearing, Det Supt Kevin Moore from Sussex Police, said: "Bearing in mind Jimmy Millen's background it may well be that somebody from the criminal fraternity actually contacts us and tells us exactly what happened and provides the evidence."