A former police firearms instructor who shot dead his daughter’s partner in Dartford as a 999-call operator listened has been has jailed for life.

David Hucker, 69, fired two shots at 43-year-old Robert Williamson as the pair argued inside his home in May.

He was found guilty of murder, which he denied, following a trial at Maidstone Crown Court on Monday, December 20, and sentenced on the same date to serve a minimum term of 26 years' imprisonment.

At around 9am on Tuesday, May 11, the pair were overheard shouting at each other in Hucker’s garden.

According to the Mirror, Robert Williamson was the partner of Hucker's daughter Samantha. The pair had been arguing over the possibility of the couple moving in.

Mr Williamson then drove away, as Hucker was heard threatening to shoot the victim.

Around three hours later, the Mr Williamson returned to Hucker’s house with the intention of apologising.

A disturbance then took place inside the property, leading Mr Williamson to dial 999 for police assistance.

As he spoke on the phone, two loud bangs were heard by the call handler.

Hucker then picked up the handset and told the operator “you’d better send a policeman and an ambulance, but I don’t think you’re going to need an ambulance.”

When answering follow up questions, Hucker said he had shot Mr Williamson and that the victim was dead.

Kent Police officers were immediately sent to the scene and found Williamson deceased.

He had sustained gunshot wounds to his chest and neck.

Hucker confessed he had killed Mr Williamson to attending officers and was arrested on suspicion of murder. He has been held on remand since.

He had legally possessed firearms for much of his adult life and had always adhered to the requirements placed on him by his firearms licence.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil Kimber, Kent Police’s senior investigating officer for the case, said: “Mr Williamson was needlessly robbed of his life in an act of extreme, pre-meditated and senseless violence.

“While I am pleased we have now secured a conviction, I am saddened that Mr Williamson’s loved ones have had to relive these events in court. His death has had a profound impact on those that knew him, and our specialist officers have worked hard to provide them with the best possible support.

“I would also like to commend the actions of the call handler, who was presented with an exceptionally distressing call. Despite the challenges they had to contend with, they completed their duties with exceptional professionalism.

“Likewise, our attending officers were presented with a harrowing scene, but their diligence meant they were able to safely bring Hucker into custody and secure the scene.”

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