Inquest into the death of Shane Adrian Gilmer

Hull Coroners Court, 12th – 16th April 2021. Jury Inquest before Professor Paul Marks, HM Senior Coroner.

Shane Gilmer (30) was attacked with a crossbow on 12^th January 2018 and later died from his injuries. The person suspected, Anthony Lawrence (also referred to as Howarth) having inflicted these injuries subsequently died and as a result no criminal trial took place. The Inquest into the circumstances of Shane’s death will take place at Hull Coroners Court between 12^th – 16^th April 2021.

This is a media release sent on behalf of Ison Harrison solicitors who are representing Laura Sugden (30), the girlfriend of Shane Gilmer who was also attacked in the same incident. Laura was pregnant at the time and sustained significant head and neck injuries but fortunately she and their baby survived. 

Summary of the attack

Shane and Laura lived next door to Anthony Lawrence (55) in a semi-detached property in Southburn, nr Driffield, East Riding of Yorkshire. The couple had been together for 2 years and shared their home with Laura’s daughter from a previous relationship.

We anticipate that the evidence will demonstrate that on the night of the attack, Shane was fatally injured by a cross bow bolt. Laura was also shot at before being physically attacked with an arrow that was pushed into her neck.

During the attack both Laura and Shane managed to call the emergency services.

Anthony Lawrence was subsequently found dead on 14^th January 2018. The inquest into his death has not yet taken place.

Inquest

This is an Article 2 Inquest and will be heard before a Jury. They are held where it is arguable on the evidence that substantive duties under Article 2(1) of the European Convention of Human Rights have been breached in relation to the death.

Laura hopes that the Inquest will answer many of the questions she has about what happened, including:

1. Whether the calls from the emergency services were correctly graded and prioritised.
2. Whether the communication between the police and the ambulance service during the response was adequate.
3. Whether the closest resources were deployed to attend the incident.
4. Whether the treatment and decision-making surrounding Shane’s injuries were adequate, in particular the timing of the decision to extract Shane from the scene. 

Mistruths on the circumstances leading to the attack

To date, Laura has been unable to comment publicly on the attack because of the coronial and police investigation. This has led to some mistruths circulating in the press about the circumstances leading up to the attack.

However, at the conclusion of inquest, she and her legal team are willing to speak to the press about exactly what happened.

END

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NOTES TO EDITORS

1. Please do not contact Laura Sugden or any of her legal team about the Inquest. All media enquiries and interview bids should be directed to NatalieRodgers@Scala.uk.com | 0114 4070159 | 07881 780608. 

2. Gemma Vine, Solicitor, Ison Harrison

Laura is represented by Gemma Vine, a solicitor at Ison Harrison Solicitors. Gemma is a highly experienced and nationally recognised specialist in representing bereaved families at Inquests.

Gemma has particular expertise in representing families at inquests involving deaths in custody and has also represented families in a number of high-profile inquests. These inquests include the family of Bobby and Christi Shepherd who died from carbon monoxide in Corfu whilst on a Thomas Cook holiday and the family of murdered school girl, Elsie Frost. Gemma finds it very rewarding to have played a part in highlighting cases where there have been system failures in order to prevent future deaths. 

3. Hull Coroners Court and Court
   The Guildhall, Alfred Gelder Street Hull East Riding of Yorkshire HU1 2AA.

Tel. 01482 613011