Teen accused of killling mother and siblings had illegal shotgun

A teenager charged with murdering his mother, brother and sister at the family home had illegally acquired a shotgun, a court heard today.

Police were called to a flat in a high-rise block in Luton, Bedfordshire, last week following reports that shots had been fired.

The bodies of Juliana Prosper, 48, her son Kyle, 16, and daughter Giselle, 13, were discovered by the officers.

Ms Prosper’s son Nicholas, 18, was arrested nearby shortly afterwards. Bedfordshire Police have stated a firearm was found during a search of the area.

Prosper appeared at Luton Magistrates Court on Monday charged with the triple murder where he spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth before the case was sent to the town’s crown court.

He appeared by video link from prison during a preliminary hearing in the higher court today where it was confirmed he has been charged with a number of other offences, including purchasing or acquiring a shotgun without a certificate, possession of a shotgun and possession of a kitchen knife in a public place.

Judge Michael Simon said time was needed for an expert report on the defendant to be produced and for pathology reports and analysis of forensics material to be completed.

He remanded Propser to custody to next appear for a plea and trial preparation hearing at the same court on December 5.

A provisional three-week trial was set for March 3 next year.

Officers found the bodies of Ms Prosper and her two children when they arrived at her flat in the 15-storey Leabank Tower at 5.30am on Friday.

Neighbours described hearing loud ‘bangs’, with one saying: ‘I thought it was a car backfiring. I didn’t realise until later that someone had been shot.’

A male nurse, who has lived in the area for 22 years, added: ‘Everyone gets on here but there is an undercurrent of bad behaviour.

‘I’m shocked to hear somebody had a gun – never. I walk here late at night and never had a problem, never felt unsafe.’

The Prosper family were said to be regular visitors to a local church and Kyle attended a Catholic school in the area.

Mrs Prosper worked at a local Sainsbury’s and was described as having a ‘heart of gold’.

Read More

Family pay tribute to 'loving' mother, 'kind' son and 'beautiful' daughter killed in 'triple murder'

A colleague, who gave his name as Lewis, 24, said: ‘She was just the loveliest person. She had a heart of gold. She would speak so highly of her kids.’

A friend of Mrs Prosper’s added she ‘lived for her children’ and was a ‘positive person who will be so terribly missed’.

A schoolfriend of Kyle’s, who didn’t want to give her name, described him as a ‘quiet boy’ who never caused trouble.

Cardinal Newman Catholic School said the incident was ‘devastating’ and offered ‘heartfelt condolences’ to the family.

In a statement, it said: ‘It will take some time to come to terms with the profound sense of loss.

‘We have already sent important information to parents and carers that outlines the support we have in place for students when they return to school on Monday.

‘We know this will be a difficult time for students and staff.’

Tributes were also paid to Giselle, who was described as a ‘beautiful soul’ and a ‘model pupil’ at Lea Manor High School.

Headteacher Jess Pather said: ‘She excelled in all her subjects and will be sorely missed, particularly by her friends in Year 9.’

Large numbers of police raced to the area, which has several large residential blocks, after the alert was raised last week.

Officers were seen flying a drone over a section of the nearby River Lea, while a team of forensics officers established a cordon around the street.

Detective Superintendent Rob Hall, of the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said the following day: ‘Following the discovery of three bodies… we immediately dispatched a large number of officers to the scene.

‘Shortly afterwards, they arrested an 18-year-old man, who has now been charged with three counts of murder, as well as a number of firearms offences.

‘I’d like to praise all of the officers involved in this investigation so far, especially those who were first at the scene and were met with such awful circumstances, and those who have worked round the clock to establish the details surrounding these tragic deaths.’

Floral tributes left outside the tower block included one that said: ‘No words. Just hurt. May you RIP. We will never forget you.’