UK police charge soldier over four shootings

LONDON- Police charged a former soldier today with shooting dead his uncle, aunt and two cousins in a house in Newcastle at the weekend.

David Bradley, 41, is accused of killing Peter Purcell and his wife Josephine, both aged 70, and their sons Keith, 44, and 41-year-old Glen.

Police said the deaths occurred between 9pm on Saturday evening and 2.15am on Sunday morning local time (between 8am and 1.15pm Sunday NZT) when Glen returned from a night out. All had suffered gunshot wounds.

Bradley was arrested yesterday after he walked into a police station. Police said he suffered from mental illness thought to be related to his time in the military during which he served in the first Gulf War, Bosnia and Northern Ireland.

He is due to appear before Newcastle magistrates tomorrow.

- REUTERS