A doting dad who was killed in mass shooting was "cradling" his "beautiful" three-year-old daughter as he died, an inquest has heard.
During the inquest into the five deaths at the hands of Plymouth gunman Jake Davison, a jury has heard statements from neighbours in Biddick Drive, where Davison and Lee Martyn, 43, and his daughter Sophie all lived. In a heartbreaking account, one witness said three-year-old Sophie and her dad were found "cradling each other" following the fatal incident.
Bridget Dolan, counsel to the coroner, read out two statements from residents in Biddick Drive at the inquest into the deaths of Stephen Washington, aged 59, Kate Shepherd, aged 66, Maxine Davison, aged 51, and Sophie and her dad Lee.
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Sharon Hellyer lived next door to the Davisons and at first thought the loud "bangs" she heard were fireworks. She recalled how her son went upstairs claiming "[Davison's] shooting in the air". Tragically, Lee and Sophie were later found in the street - Lee's arm "still around his little girl" - his "princess'"
Rebecca Martyn paid tribute to her husband and "fearless" daughter at the inquest. The statement was read out to the hearing by barrister Dominic Adamson, after their lives were cruelly taken on August 12, 2021.
Rebecca's statement also shared details from the evening of the shooting. The jury heard the family had all sat down for dinner together on August 12, before Sophie and her brother "put on a show".
Rebecca then told Cayden to get ready for a gymnastics lesson at 5pm. Sophie asked her mum to help her get changed into another outfit and she then went to walk their dog Mabel, with her dad, Lee, while her mum and brother went to gymnastics.
Sophie had taken a purple buggy with a doll or teddy inside to push. The jury heard that at around 6.30pm the gymnastics session ended and the pair headed home, popping into Morrisons on their way.
She revealed that she had sent a WhatsApp message to Lee at 6.13pm and noted that while two messages were delivered, neither message was seen by Lee. At 7.14pm a friend texted her to see if she had heard anything about a "lady and a little girl" being shot in Biddick Drive.
By 7.20pm Cayden and Rebecca got back home to find an "empty house". The jury heard Rebecca called Lee nine times but he never answered.
The statement added that Rebecca headed towards Biddick Drive and spoke to an officer on the cordon asking if she had seen a "man and a little girl". She then returned home and arrived back at 7.43pm. She revealed she then received a phone call saying police were on their way to her address. On arrival they notified her that both her husband and her daughter had died.
Rebecca, who was described in court as a lead advance practitioner, said her and Lee's relationship began in 2006 and they later married in September 2009. She said Lee was happy in his job, stood up for people and would offer a sympathetic ear to others. He was also known for "rallying younger members for a good night out".
Her statement added that Lee would lavish attention on his family members, including their children, and was a "steady presence in all the lives of those who knew him". Such was the regard he was held by others, Lee and Rebecca went on to become godparents to nine children.
The jury also heard how Lee "loved football" and supported his "beloved" team of Everton. He himself began playing football from an early age and he made many friends through his love of football, maintaining relationships with several friends through the sport. Rebecca revealed Lee even secured trials with clubs Bayer Leverkusen and Watford.
Rebecca also paid tribute to her "typical" redhead daughter, Sophie, who was always in charge and "knew what she wanted, even if it was someone else's!" She loved going to gymnastics at Zero Gravity in Saltash and she was described as "fearless" in the water.
She said Sophie would wear an assortment of dressing-up outfits including Princess Anna from Frozen and they would spend "most of our time off together" as a family, or as a couple or with friends.
Her legal representative told the court that Rebecca was "unable to share private photos" of Lee and Sophie as it was "too distressing - but it also highlights how much she has lost".
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