Perch Garage murders

Graham and Carol Fisher, aged 60 and 53, were a married couple who ran the Perch Garage at the eponymous Winnard's Perch on the A39 road Atlantic Highway from Wadebridge.{{Cite web |last=Matthews |first=Chris |date=2017-10-09 |title=Garage murder victim predicted he'd be killed by "someone he knew" |url=http://www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwall-news/wadebridge-a39-perch-garage-murder-597355 |access-date=2023-08-05 |website=CornwallLive |language=en}} The couple had owned the garage and car repair centre for about 20 years.{{Cite news |date=2003-11-08 |title=Ordeal of murdered garage couple |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/cornwall/3252961.stm |access-date=2023-08-05}} At the time of their deaths the couple had recently celebrated their silver wedding anniversary.{{Cite web |date=2003-11-08 |title=Cornish village in shock over couple's murder |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/cornish-village-in-shock-over-couple-s-murder-77312.html |access-date=2023-08-05 |website=The Independent |language=en}}

File:Old Milestone by the A39, north east of Winnard's Perch (geograph 6429593).jpg

The bodies of Carol and Graham Fisher were discovered at the Perch Garage on the A39 road near Wadebridge.{{Cite news |date=2003-11-27 |title=Murder victim's brother speaks of grief |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cornwall/3244520.stm |access-date=2023-08-05}} At 9AM on 6 November the body of Carol Fisher was found on the path outside their bungalow by a school bus driver.{{Cite web |last=Eve |first=Carl |date=2023-06-27 |title=Court to hear brothers' garage double murder appeal this week |url=https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/plymouth-news/brothers-convicted-wadebridge-garage-couples-8554829 |access-date=2023-08-05 |website=CornwallLive |language=en}} An armed response team found the body of her husband Graham in their bungalow behind the garage they owned.{{Cite news |date=2006-01-19 |title=Dedication of Fisher murder squad |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/4568110.stm |access-date=2023-08-05}}

It was thought that the couple had been bludgeoned with a sledgehammer and shot to death at close range the evening before, which was Guy Fawkes Night.{{Cite news |date=2004-05-17 |title=Two arrested over garage murders |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/cornwall/3722925.stm |access-date=2023-08-05}} The dining room table was set for an evening meal, the television was switched on and dinner was burnt in the oven. The gunshots reportedly "sounded like fireworks", which was consistent with it being Guy Fawkes Night.{{Cite news |date=2003-11-07 |title=Murder shots 'sounded like fireworks' |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/cornwall/3246589.stm |access-date=2023-08-05}}

The Fishers' garage, was described as the scene of "indescribable horror" by the judge at Exeter Crown Court.{{Cite news |date=2017-10-08 |title=Wadebridge garage murder: Victim 'predicted' killer's identity |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cornwall-41497372 |access-date=2023-08-05}} Mr Fisher was found dead from three shotgun wounds in the kitchen of the home.{{Cite web |last=Live |first=Teesside |date=2004-07-13 |title=Gun horror: Pair charged |url=http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/local-news/gun-horror-pair-charged-3825293 |access-date=2023-08-05 |website=TeessideLive |language=en}} His wife had apparently been shot in the hand, and left a trail of blood through their bungalow before being shot in the back and the neck as she tried to flee down the garden path. The blood of Mrs Fisher was found on the telephone in the living room and it appeared she had tried to ring 999, but she misdialled and the call never got through.{{Cite news |date=2005-11-22 |title=Couple 'beaten after being shot' |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/cornwall/4460562.stm |access-date=2023-08-05}} Money was found in safe suggesting the perpetrators had fled.{{Cite news |date=2005-11-16 |title=Brothers 'shot TV dinner couple' |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/cornwall/4442560.stm |access-date=2023-08-05}}

Police warned that the level of violence used suggested the killers could offend again.{{Cite news |date=2004-05-06 |title=Garage killers 'may strike again' |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/cornwall/3690235.stm |access-date=2023-08-05}} In December 2003, retired detectives were called in by Devon and Cornwall Police to deal with the "unprecedented" number of incidents in the year of 2003.{{Cite news |date=2003-11-26 |title=Police call in retired detectives |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/3241420.stm |access-date=2023-08-05}}

The funeral of the couple was held on 5 August 2004 at the parish church in St Issey.{{Cite news |date=2004-08-05 |title=Funeral for double murder victims |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cornwall/3538898.stm |access-date=2023-08-05}} In March 2006, the garage was put up for sale.{{Cite news |date=2006-03-14 |title=Double murder garage goes on sale |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/cornwall/4806624.stm |access-date=2023-08-05}} In 2007 the site was cleared for redevelopment.{{Cite news |date=2007-04-05 |title=Double murder garage site cleared |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/cornwall/6530359.stm |access-date=2023-08-05}}{{Cite news |date=2007-02-02 |title=New owner of murder garage speaks |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/cornwall/6324531.stm |access-date=2023-08-05}} The site is now home to an art gallery, café and shops.{{Cite web |last=Eve |first=Carl |date=2022-11-05 |title=Court of Appeal to hear from brothers convicted of murder |url=https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/plymouth-news/wadebridge-garage-murder-court-appeal-7781896 |access-date=2023-08-05 |website=PlymouthLive |language=en}}

On 29 December 2003 police found two shotguns buried on the beach at Weston-super-Mare.{{Cite news |date=2006-01-19 |title=Killers' 'ruthless' past revealed |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/cornwall/4629312.stm |access-date=2023-08-05}} The guns were consistent with those used in the murders and were soon linked to the defendants by fingerprints and DNA evidence. In December 2003, a £10,000 reward was offered by Crimestoppers UK for information surrounding the case.{{Cite news |date=2003-12-02 |title=Reward offered to catch killers |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/cornwall/3257018.stm |access-date=2023-08-05}}

Passengers on a National Express Coach which passed the garage on the night of the murder was considered by police to be a possibility for important witnesses.{{Cite news |date=2004-05-10 |title=Passengers may have murder clues |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/cornwall/3700731.stm |access-date=2023-08-05}} The Royal Air Force were asked to help with the investigation.{{Cite news |date=2004-04-14 |title=RAF to help murder hunt officers |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/cornwall/3626891.stm |access-date=2023-08-05}} In April 2004, two people from the St Dennis area were questioned.{{Cite news |date=2004-04-21 |title=Two questioned on garage murders |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/cornwall/3645697.stm |access-date=2023-08-05}} Two people who were arrested were later released.{{Cite news |date=2004-05-19 |title=Murder suspects are released |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/cornwall/3730467.stm |access-date=2023-08-05}}

In May 2004, a reconstruction was broadcast on BBC Crimewatch.{{Cite news |date=2004-05-25 |title=Reconstruction of garage killings |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/cornwall/3747027.stm |access-date=2023-08-05}}

In late 2005, the murder trial began of Robert and Lee Firkins, two brothers from Weston-super-Mare.{{Cite news |date=2005-12-22 |title=Murder trial breaks for Christmas |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/cornwall/4551560.stm |access-date=2023-08-05}}{{Cite news |date=2005-12-06 |title=Man denies 'sick' garage murders |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/cornwall/4504948.stm |access-date=2023-08-05}} On 18 December 2003, the brothers had robbed the B&Q hardware store in Taunton, Somerset. The following day, Lee Firkins was involved in an armed robbery at a petrol station at Fraddon, Cornwall, in which he fired a double-barrelled shotgun at the wall.{{Cite news |date=2005-12-09 |title=Murder accused out to 'buy drugs' |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/cornwall/4514592.stm |access-date=2023-08-05}} An inmate claimed in court that Robert Firkins had admitted the murders while on remand.{{Cite news |date=2005-11-30 |title=Murder accused 'made confession' |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/cornwall/4485608.stm |access-date=2023-08-05}}

Craig Mack told Exeter Crown Court that his step-brother Lee Firkins had acted out armed robbery before.{{Cite news |date=2005-11-21 |title=Garage accused 'acted' using gun |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/cornwall/4457048.stm |access-date=2023-08-05}} The court later heard that the brothers had been high on crack cocaine the night of the killings.{{Cite news |date=2005-11-23 |title=Accused brothers 'high on crack' |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/cornwall/4464050.stm |access-date=2023-08-05}} The pair had claimed that they were in Cornwall to buy cannabis.{{Cite news |date=2006-01-12 |title=Judge sums up garage murder case |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/cornwall/4607104.stm |access-date=2023-08-05}} The prosecution claimed that the murders had been the result of a robbery gone wrong.{{Cite news |last=Morris |first=Steven |date=2005-11-17 |title=Robber brothers deny brutal murder of garage owners |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2005/nov/17/ukcrime.stevenmorris |access-date=2023-08-05 |issn=0261-3077}}

Robert and Lee Firkins were found guilty of murder at Exeter Crown Court.{{Cite web |last=Matthews |first=Chris |date=2020-08-06 |title=Both brothers convicted of 2003 garage murders granted appeal |url=https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwall-news/both-brothers-convicted-2003-perch-4399333 |access-date=2023-08-05 |website=CornwallLive |language=en}} They admitted to the unrelated offences but denied the killings.{{Cite news |date=2006-01-03 |title=Garage pair murder case adjourned |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/cornwall/4578078.stm |access-date=2023-08-05}} They were both given life sentences.{{Cite news |date=2006-02-27 |title=Murders pair get life sentences |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/cornwall/4754246.stm |access-date=2023-08-05}}

An appeal was heard in 2008.{{Cite news |date=2008-11-04 |title=Brothers' murder appeal date set |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/cornwall/7708114.stm |access-date=2023-08-05}}{{Cite news |date=2008-12-09 |title=Brothers' murder appeal commences |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/cornwall/7773600.stm |access-date=2023-08-05}}{{Cite news |date=2008-12-10 |title=Appeal denied witness questioning |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/cornwall/7775888.stm |access-date=2023-08-05}}{{Cite news |date=2008-12-12 |title=Murder appeals judgement reserved |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/cornwall/7780042.stm |access-date=2023-08-05}} Their attempt to overturn the convictions was rejected by three judges at London's Court of Appeal.{{Cite news |date=2008-12-17 |title=Brothers lose appeal over murder |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/cornwall/7787252.stm |access-date=2023-08-05}}

In 2013, BBC News reported that the key witness in the case had been jailed for being hired as a hitman and carrying out a murder. In 2015, a review into the case was launched by the Criminal Cases Review Commission.{{Cite news |date=2015-11-04 |title=Murderers Lee and Robert Firkins get fresh hope of appeal |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cornwall-34726091 |access-date=2023-08-05}} In 2017 it was reported that advancement in DNA testing could be used as evidence.{{Cite news |date=2017-05-16 |title=Brothers convicted of Cornwall murders pin freedom hopes on DNA |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cornwall-39928828 |access-date=2023-08-05}} In 2018, Lee Firkins was sentenced for a triple assault at Broadmoor Hospital.{{Cite web |date=2018-05-21 |title=Double murderer sentenced for Broadmoor triple assault |url=https://www.bracknellnews.co.uk/news/16240337.double-murderer-sentenced-broadmoor-triple-assault/ |access-date=2023-08-05 |website=Bracknell News |language=en}} In 2020, Lee and Robert Firkins were granted an appeal.{{Cite news |date=2020-08-05 |title=Wadebridge petrol station couple's murderers granted appeal |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cornwall-53661713 |access-date=2023-08-05}} In 2022, Robert Firkins was given a two-year sentence for "throwing excrement over a prison officer".{{Cite web |last=Huntley |first=David |date=2022-02-09 |title=Convicted murderer threw 'excrement' over prison officer |url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/prisoner-threw-excrement-over-officer-23038311 |access-date=2023-08-05 |website=ChronicleLive |language=en}}

In June 2023, it was reported that the Firkins were again appealing their convictions.{{Cite news |date=2023-06-28 |title=Wadebridge petrol station couple's murderers begin appeal |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cornwall-66041573 |access-date=2023-08-05}} The Court of Appeal quashed their convictions for murder in 2023, and ordered that there be a retrial. In December 2024, the prosecution offered no evidence and the judge entered not guilty verdicts.{{Cite web |date=2024-12-17 |title=Firkins brothers cleared of Cornwall murders |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj6z14kl9ydo |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Rabbetts |first=Nelly |date=2024-12-17 |title=Court of Appeal Overturns Brothers' Conviction After 20-Year Legal Battle |url=https://redlionchambers.co.uk/court-of-appeal-overturns-brothers-conviction-after-20-year-legal-battle/ |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=Red Lion Chambers |language=en-GB}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Murders in the United Kingdom in the 2000s}}

Category:2003 in England

Category:2003 murders in the United Kingdom

Category:November 2003 in the United Kingdom

Category:Deaths by firearm in England

Category:Crime in Cornwall

Category:2000s in Cornwall

Category:Wadebridge

Category:Unsolved murders in the United Kingdom