10/12/95 - STATEMENT of SARAH MCKAY ELIZABETH GIBBONS

NAME: SARAH MCKAY ELIZABETH GIBBONS
AGE / DATE OF BIRTH: 46 07051949

Who states:- This statement consisting of 004 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
S M E GIBBONS (SIGNED)

I work with my husband David Christopher GIBBONS in a furniture manufacturing business situated at The Barns, Old Hall Farm, Main Road, Rettendon. There are only the two of us employed within the business. We do have a helper called John WEBBER who assist on occasions.

The business has been ongoing for about 20 years. My husband works every day at the site in Rettendon and I join him on a regular basis but not every day. On Wednesday 061295 about 0710 hours I left my home address with my husband to go to work at the site.

We left in our red Vauxhall Cavalier estate motor vehicle registration number A621PBM which my husband drove. We took a back route to the site via Hullbridge and Hockley in order to miss the busier roads. The back route took us to Rettendon Turnpike roundabout and we then took the A130 Main Road towards Chelmsford.

After passing the traffic lights at the brow of the main road and then starting to drive down the hill towards the dual carriageway our site is situated on the left hand side of the road about 150 yards away from White House Farm. I arrived at the site about 0745 hours. The site is situated about 75 yards from the Main Road entrance.

Once at work my husband and I spent the majority of the day inside the building working. About midday we stopped for lunch, and again continued working in the afternoon. As the afternoon went on I switched on the television set in the building in order to watch 'Todays The Day'.

I put the channel onto BBC2 and watched it for about 5 minutes, but I cannot recall what was on telly as Todays the Day had not started so I wasn't paying much attention. Having switched the television on, after about 5 minutes I decided to make some tea.

There are no taps in the building and in order to get water I had to go to a free standing tap outside. I left the building, my husband was still inside working, and I walked to the tap which is about 25 yards from the building and about 50 yards from the main road.

Having got there I discovered the pipe had frozen so I returned to the building. As I was walking back to the building I suddenly heard three gun shots being fired. The sound came from behind me in the area of the main road and Old Hall Farm. I looked towards this area as I heard the sounds but could not see anything.

I immediately thought about farmers shooting in the fields as this is a regular occurrence although I was surprised as it was quite late and the farmers usually shoot earlier in the day. I continued to walk back towards the building and as I did about 1 to 2 seconds after the first 3 shots were fired which were in quick succession I heard a further 2 shots.

These shots were fired with a gap of about half a second between them. I continued to the building and on entering I mentioned to my husband the lateness of the 'shooters' being out which was my term for farmers shooting and moments later I again heard another 3 shots being fired in quick succession.

I didn't think anything further about the shootings as I put it down to the farmers. Although I am not certain of the time having entered to the building I did watch 'Todays the day' on BBC2 which started at 1600 hours. At the time of the shots being fired the weather was cold but not snowing and it was just starting to get dark.

I finished work about 1930 hours and my husband and I returned home, arriving about 2015 hours. On the 061200 I was wearing black trousers, black boots, black overjumper and a cream coloured full length coat. My husband wore a burgundy polo neck, royal blue trousers, a rusty coloured jumper and green sleeveless jacket.

I am able to say the noise I heard was gunshots and not a car back firing as I am so used to hearing the farmers shooting.

S H E GIBBONS SIGNED
STATEMENT TAKEN PLACE:
TIME:
DATE: 101295
WITNESS TO SIGNATURE:
OFFICERS SIGNATURE: