A MAN whose mother, sister and aunt and were killed in New Year’s Day shootings three years ago may sue the police.

Bobby Turnbull, of High Hesleden, County Durham, has been campaigning vigorously for tighter gun laws since the tragedy at Horden, near Peterlee, in 2012.

The 26-year-old says he is now considering taking legal action against Durham Police and is talking with specialist lawyers about his options.

Mr Turnbull’s mother Alison Turnbull, 44, was shot dead by her partner and licensed gun owner Michael Atherton along with his aunt Susan McGoldrick, 47 and sister Tanya Turnbull, aged 24,.

The 42-year-old taxi driver then turned the gun on himself.

Mr Turnbull believes the Durham force’s gun licensing unit may have made errors that cost the lives of his family.

The Durham coroner Andrew Tweddle said at the inquest that the three women would still be alive if the gun licensing unit had more “robust, clear and accountable procedures” were in place at the time.

Michael Atherton legally held six weapons but had a history of drunken domestic violence and in 2008 threatened to “blow his head off”.

Police took his guns but returned them a few weeks later with a warning to behave responsibly in future.

Mr Turnbull, who is planning to spend New Year outside the region because of the painful memories, said: “I just want to hold them to account for what they did and I want them to admit to what they’ve done wrong.

“I want to know if police officers were disciplined as a result of their actions and I want to know if they were sacked as a result.

“If not I want to know why. If they were doing their job properly none of this would have happened.

“Everybody has a right to life and the police failed to protect my mam, Tanya and Susan.”

A Durham Police spokesman said: “We are in regular correspondence with the solicitors representing a number of family members, and we expect that dialogue to continue.

“However, it would not be appropriate to discuss the content while discussions are ongoing and further meetings are planned.”