Broker shotgun death 'accident'

A City broker who died from a gunshot wound to the groin following a row with his wife was the victim of a "tragic accident", an inquest has heard.

Simon Woodward, 42, died at the home he shared with wife Karen in Fenstanton, Cambridgeshire, on 3 January.

Mr Woodward picked up a shotgun which he banged on the floor, for unknown reasons, and it discharged, the inquest at Huntingdon Crown Court heard.

Coroner David Morris recorded a verdict of accidental death.

'Smashed to ground'

Mrs Woodward was arrested on suspicion of her husband's murder following the incident but was later cleared of any involvement.

Police said inquiries had found it was an accident.

Officers had gone to the house where they found the couple's daughter who said her parents had been arguing.

Det Supt Mark Birch told the hearing: "They had a meal and everything was fine. Some time after 10pm they were watching Graham Norton.

"Some time after 10pm an argument started to ensue. It was based around some phone message going on between Mr and Mrs Woodward and other persons.

"It would appear at some point Mr Woodward went up to the master bedroom."

Mr Woodward, a shooting club member, picked up a double-barrelled shotgun.

"During the course of an argument, for some reason, unbeknown to myself, Mr Woodward loaded a shotgun and smashed it into the ground and died from a tragic accident," Det Supt Birch added.

Mrs Woodward told the court how she and her husband had recently reconciled their marriage and she had returned to the home they shared with their two children in December.

"I said to him, 'Don't be silly, its only banter. If you are that upset I will apologise in the morning'," Mrs Woodward said.

She said she had gone downstairs to turn the lights out and when she returned she saw the gun.

"I was frightened. I froze. I just stood there for a second. I was thinking, 'What is he doing? What is he going to do?' In the time it took me to do that I heard a bang."

Coroner David Morris, recording a verdict of accidental death, said he was satisfied no third party had been involved in Mr Woodward's death and there was no evidence he intended to kill himself.

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