10/12/95 - STATEMENT of MICHAEL GEORGE STRELLEYUPTON

NAME: MICHAEL GEORGE STRELLEYUPTON
AGE / DATE OF BIRTH: 68 17061927

Who states:- This statement consisting of 002 pages, each signed by me, is true to the best of my knowledge and belief and I make it knowing that if it is tendered in evidence I shall be liable to prosecution if I have wilfully stated in it anything which I know to be false or do not believe to be true.

DATED: 101295
M G STRELLEYUPTON (SIGNED)

I own and run Lappages Farm situated at Rettendon Common, East Hanningfield Road. The farm is situated off the A130 Main Road. As part of my work I deal with animals and around 6 times a week I have cause to leave my farm and go to collect animal food.

The place I go to collect the animal food is North Woodham Bakeries and I leave about 1930 hours to 1945 hours. On Wednesday 061295 I had to again go to North Woodham Bakeries to collect food for the animals.

I recall having the evening meal that day about 1900 hours and after that I sorted out my vehicle to go and collect the food. I left in my Landrover index number CA27UKV and went via a petrol station to fuel the vehicle and then onto North Woodham.

The journey usually takes 20 minutes however on this occasion it took longer due to getting fuel and being delayed at the Bakeries, however I recall returning home to the farm about 2100 hours to 2130 hours the exact time I cannot remember.

It was around this time whilst I was unloading the Landrover that I heard the sound of a rapid burst of gunfire coming from the area of Workhouse Lane. I was quite used to hearing gunfire coming from this area on Wednesdays as this is the day that there are 'shoots' in the fields and surrounding area, however I was quite surprised to hear the shots so late at night.

I would describe the sound as either 2 or 3 shots being fired very closely together. Although I believe I heard the shots being fired around 2100 to 2130 hours, when I had returned from the bakeries, it may have happened just before I left around 1930 to 1945 hours.

I am able to remember this incident so well as it was unusual to hear gun shots so late in the day. The shoots that occur on the Wednesdays is clay pidgeon shooting and runs the entire day until it gets dark.

M G STRELLEYUPTON SIGNED
STATEMENT TAKEN PLACE:
TIME:
DATE: 101295
WITNESS TO SIGNATURE:
OFFICERS SIGNATURE: