PUPPY farm murderer John Lowe faces dying behind bars – after he was today
jailed for at least 25 years.
The 82-year-old blasted his partner, 66, and stepdaughter, 40, to death with a
shotgun.
He winked as he was led from the dock after being sentenced for killing
Christine Lee and Lucy Lee.
The judge praised the courage of Lucy Lee for her bravery in returning to face
her killer following a frantic 999 call.
Sentencing Lowe at Guildford Crown Court, Mr Justice Singh said: “Lucy
was able to use her mobile phone to make a frantic and desperate call to the
emergency services on 999.
“She said that you had shot her mum and that she feared that you were going to
shoot her as well.
“Nevertheless, in an act of extraordinary courage, she went back to see if
there was anything she could do to help her mother.”
Stacy Banner, whose mother and sister were killed by Lowe, wept in court after
the sentence was handed down.
She has blasted Surrey Police after they
handed back a number of his guns months before the killings.
Three Surrey Police employees are being investigated for gross misconduct over
the decision to return the weapons.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has launched an
investigation.
Speaking outside court, Ms Banner said: “I’m relieved it’s over. He’s never
getting out.”
When he was first arrested, Lowe told police at his remote country estate:
“They’ve been giving me s*** for weeks.
“I’m glad the torment’s over with these people. I couldn’t take it anymore,
f*** it.”
During the trial Lowe claimed that Christine was shot in a “terrible
accident”.
Prosecuting Mark Dennis said “belligerent” Lowe resorted to “ludicrous”
claims to avoid taking the blame for the shootings after losing his temper.