Inquest hears last words of woman killed by husband

AN inquest into a bloodbath which left three people dead yesterday heard the harrowing last words of a woman being tracked down in the family home by her shotgun-wielding husband.

Julia Pemberton, aged 47, is believed to have been shot dead by husband Alan, aged 48, who also killed their 17-year-old son William before turning the gun on himself in Hermitage, Berkshire, on November 18 last year.

In a 16-minute phone call to police, Mrs Pemberton described how her husband was getting closer and closer to the cupboard in the family house where she was hiding.

On finding her, he called her an "f**king whore", she screamed and the line went dead.

According to the transcript read out by Berkshire coroner Peter Bedford, Mrs Pemberton initially told the operator: "My husband's outside with a gun. He's let off some shots," adding that her son was with him.

After giving her address, she said: "Oh Jesus Christ, he's hurt my son, oh God, he's come through the window," followed by a bang and a scream.

She then told the operator he was breaking down the door and said: "He's coming in, oh my God, oh my God, please help me, I'm going to die."

At this point, she went to hide in a cupboard and repeatedly pleaded with the operator: "Oh my God, please help me."

The operator reassured her that the police were on their way but by this time, she said Pemberton was close to finding her hiding place.

"Here he comes, oh here he comes, oh my God, he's come," she said.

Her final words were: "He's coming now."

Members of the family wept as the transcript was read out, including the couple's daughter Laura, who was away studying at Cambridge University when the tragedy unfolded.

The inquest at Reading Civic Centre had previously heard that Mr Pemberton, a financial adviser, had subjected his wife to "years of abuse" and threatened to kill her.

Pc Joanna Lay, domestic violence co-ordinator for West Berkshire police area, told the hearing that Mrs Pemberton and her brother Frank Mullane were so afraid that they handed in Mr Pemberton's guns and kitchen knives to police for safe-keeping.

She had taken out an injunction against him but refused to move into a safe house and initially turned down an offer of a panic alarm, although she later had one installed.

Neighbours of the Pembertons described the terror they felt on hearing gunshots on the night of the incident.

Stephen Leadley, who lived next door, said he had locked his family inside his house after hearing shots at around 7.15pm on November 18.

In a shaky voice, Mr Leadley told the inquest: "I opened the patio door, went down the steps and then I heard more gunshots.

"At that point, I realised what was happening. I knew of the potential problem."

He had been told by Julia that she was going through a "messy divorce" when he first moved in, Mr Leadley said.

Pc Graham Hadley told the inquest how he went to the Pembertons' house to inspect a suspected domestic incident at around 7.35pm.

Pc Hadley and two other plain-clothed officers recognised the house from her description.

One of the officers spotted a body lying on the driveway just inside the gates. It was William Pemberton.

Alan Pemberton's new partner told the inquest how after his death she had found a farewell letter warning that he was to carry out a "callous" act and speaking of his "overpowering" need for revenge.

'Oh my God, help me'

By Katherine Haddon

HERE is part of the transcript of the telephone call made by Julia Pemberton to a police operator on the night of November 18, 2003.

Julia: "I'm on Slanting Hill, Hermitage, I've got an injunction. My husband's out there with a gun and my son's there. He's got a gun and let off some shots." (Silence).

Julia: "He's not supposed to come within 50 metres of the house." (Shot sounds).

Julia: "Oh my God."

Operator: "What is your address?"

Julia: "Old Hallowes, Slanting Hill, Hermitage." (Bang followed by cry in the background).

Julia: "Oh Jesus Christ he has hurt my son. Oh my God, he has come through the window with the glass. My son is 16." (Silence).

Julia: "Please come quickly." (Loud bang and scream from Julia).

Operator: "I have got officers on the way."

Julia: "He's breaking down the door." (Silence).

Julia: "He's coming in - oh my God - oh my God, please help me - I'm going to die." (Later).

Operator: "Where is he now?"

Julia: "I don't know - I'm hiding in a cupboard." (Pause).

Operator: "Are you still there?"

Julia: "I'm still here. Oh God, he's here, please."

Operator: "Just stay quiet, see what happens." (Pause).

Julia: "Oh my God." (Repeated several times) ... "He's killed my son - oh my God."

Operator: "How many shots have you heard?"

Julia: "About a dozen."

(Pause).

Julia: "He's coming through the door - oh God. I've got about one minute before I die - please."

Operator: "Just stay where you are - keep hidden."

Julia: "Oh my God help me."

(Two loud bangs are heard).

Julia: "He's coming in the other end. I can hear him bashing the glass. He's coming in now - oh my God please help me - he's gone up the side." (Pause).

Operator: "Are you upstairs?"

Julia: "No, I'm hiding in the store room, he will catch me, he's coming. Here he comes."

Operator: "The police are coming. Are you downstairs?"

Julia: "Yes."

Operator: "A hall cupboard?"

Julia: "A store room."

Julia says she's unable to lock the door from inside.

Operator: "Have you heard your son at all?"

Julia: "No." (Pause). "He's coming now." (Hear a door opening).

Male voice: "You f**king whore."

Julia cries out.

The line goes dead.