An 84-year-old man fatally shot his wife outside their Thornton Curtis home before killing himself, an inquest in North Lincolnshire revealed
Inquest Reveals Details of Murder-Suicide in North Lincolnshire
A jealous husband shot his wife dead before turning the gun on himself, an inquest heard.
Incident Overview
Robert Jobson, 84, killed Rosemary, 69, at their North Lincolnshire home just days after he had been arrested for assaulting her.
The couple, who represented England in shooting competitions, ran a shooting school from their property in Thornton Curtis.
Timeline of Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| July 8, 2023 | Robert Jobson was arrested for assaulting Rosemary. |
| July 9, 2023 | Jobson was conditionally bailed, ordered not to contact Rosemary. |
| June 23, 2023 | All firearms were removed from their home. |
| July 14, 2023 | Rosemary was shot dead, and Jobson shot himself. |
Details of the Incident
Inquests into their deaths revealed Jobson had been detained on July 8 after attacking Rosemary. He had previously overdosed in 2021 after an argument with her.
Rosemary had contacted police a month before her death over concerns about guns in their home. She told officers she was divorcing her husband.
Jobson believed Rosemary was having an affair with their friend, Peter Hrynyk, after they went on holiday. Hrynyk described their relationship as “platonic.”
Tragic Outcome
Tragedy struck when Rosemary returned home to pick up clothes. Jobson shot her twice as she got out of her car. He had convinced a friend to lend him a shotgun that morning, claiming he needed it for crows.
After killing his wife, Jobson shot himself in the neck in a shed at the side of the house.
Coroner’s Findings
Coroner Jayne Wilkes stated the case was “of a particularly shocking nature.” She ruled that Rosemary died from the “deliberate and intentional act” of her husband, marking it as an unlawful killing. Jobson’s death was ruled a suicide.
Family Statements
Robert Jobson’s daughter, Joanne Sheppard, described her father as hard-working and “a very proud man.” Paula O’Donnell, Rosemary’s daughter from her first marriage, urged her mother to leave Robert, but Rosemary believed he loved her.
O’Donnell expressed her grief, stating, “It has left a massive hole in my heart forever. I miss her so much.”
Final Remarks
Coroner Wilkes extended her sympathies to the family, stating, “What happened that day changed all of your lives forever.” She emphasized the seriousness of domestic abuse cases and noted that there was nothing more Humberside Police could have done to protect Rosemary.
Rosemary was the 1998 British All Round Ladies Champion and won a team silver with England at the world shooting championships in New Zealand in 2002. Jobson had over 50 years of coaching experience.
Their shooting school was known for its beautiful gardens and hosted various events.
