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Couple cleared of shotgun threat

7:10pm Monday 6th July 2009 in


A HUSBAND and wife have been cleared of threatening a woman with a shotgun.

John Cowley, 43, and his wife Wendy, 50, were accused of pointing a shotgun at a wall and rattling a box of 24 shotgun cartridges in the face of Jenna Moore during a row, claiming that by the time police found them, there would only be 22 left.

A four-day trial at Oxford Crown Court heard that the couple’s home in Wessex Road, Didcot, was surrounded by armed police in December. John Cowley told the jury he never held the gun during the day of the siege. No ammunition was found, the court heard.

Yesterday, jurors took four hours to clear the couple of possessing a firearm with the intent of causing fear of violence.

Mr Cowley was also cleared of affray.

Comments(5)

ConcernedOxon says...
8:04am Tue 7 Jul 09

Glad to hear it, have known of John and Wendy for years and they are lovely people.

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ConcernedOxon says...
8:04am Tue 7 Jul 09

Glad to hear it, have known of John and Wendy for years and they are lovely people.

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watchdog69 says...
7:32am Wed 8 Jul 09

I can't believe this even went to court.
What were the Crown prosecution service thinking of? this 'Jenna' claimed that the ammunition box was rattled in front of her face and yet the police found NO ammunition!
What a waste of taxpayers money, let alone the anguish that this couple have gone through

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oneviewpoint says...
11:13am Wed 8 Jul 09

In an earlier report it is confirmed the police found the gun locked in its cabinet. So taking that, along with no ammunition being found - supports "watchdogs" comments about the CPS .
John & Wendy are well thought of by many.
Perhaps the police should now concentrate their energy on Jenna, her boyfriend & their "activities" which are well documented & known in the community

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Old zimner says...
8:27am Thu 9 Jul 09

There is something wrong here. No evidence at all yet the police pushed this to the C.P.S. who decided to prosecute. I hope the couple will seek damages for malicious prosecution, this was ridiculous

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