Prison fears led to killings

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Derrick Bird feared his brother and solicitor were conspiring to have him sent to prison over unpaid tax - prompting his murderous shooting spree through Cumbria last year in which he killed 12 people and injured 11 more before turning the gun on himself.

Before he embarked on the rampage the 52-year-old taxi driver promised his accountant: "You will never see me again." Yesterday, at the start of an inquest into the 13 deaths, Bird was described as irrational - his fears of jail and financial ruin were unfounded.

Detective Chief Superintendent Iain Goulding, of Cumbria police, described how despite his "secure" financial position Bird had become obsessed with his unresolved tax affairs. The taxi driver had enlisted his twin brother, David, his solicitor, Kevin Commons, and an accountant to help resolve his money worries.