Family killings 'beyond belief'

The bodies were found after Bradley confessed at a police station

The surviving children of the Purcell family have said they will never come to terms with the violent deaths of their parents and brothers at the hands of their cousin.

Peter, 49, and 46-year-old Jacqueline said David Bradley had been lovingly cared for by their parents, and they could not comprehend what had happened.

Aside from his time in the army, the Gulf War veteran had lived at Benwell Grove in Newcastle since the age of 16.

Mr Purcell said the deaths were "beyond all expectations and belief".

He said: "My sister and I try to cope with this by trying to believe it was not David who did this unspeakable crime but some other entity that slowly took him away from reality and into some other dark world.

It is as if life decided that things were too good you... and it will make sure you never take life for granted again Peter Purcell

"We know that David's mother and brother, also our aunt and cousin, feel terrible and completely unfounded guilt for what David did.

"Please remember we love you both and no more needs to be said."

Peter Purcell, his wife Josie, both 70, and sons Keith, 44, and Glen, 41, were all shot at close range with a silenced 7.65mm CZ pistol.

Their bodies were found on 9 July 2006, after Bradley walked into Newcastle's West Road Police Station and confessed to the killings.

'Ordinary family'

Peter and Jacqueline are the only survivors of Peter and Josie's six children.

Son Michael died as a toddler and second daughter Lorraine died from cancer nearly three years ago at the age of 41.

Mr Purcell said: "We were and are an ordinary family who got on with life without causing any fuss or bother to anyone else

"We had births, deaths, marriages and divorce with the family but in all that time we were still together.

The four victims had lived at Benwell Grove for 25 years

"But then life decides to throw a card beyond all expectations and belief.

"It is as if life decided that things were too good and for you and your ordinary family, and it will make sure you never take life for granted again.

"That is how my sister and I, and all our family, feel at this moment in time."

Peter Purcell had been a self-employed roofer until the late 90s.

His children said he was a kind and popular practical joker, who spent his retirement walking the dog and leaning over the garden gate, puffing on a cigar and watching the world go by

'Loving men'

Wife Josie, a retired carer, was a devoted family woman, who "would go the extra mile to help people".

Keith and Glen, a retired roofer and glazier respectively, had both lived at the house since the family moved there 25 years ago.

Mr Purcell described them as loving men, and said the whole family had been popular in Newcastle's West End community.

He added: "Our life has changed forever and you wonder how you will ever get over such tragic events.

"We know that somehow you have to, but always at the back of your mind is the question, has life finished with this ordinary family?"