A woman who survived a horror crossbow attack which left her husband dead says it 'blows her mind' how easily available the weapons are to buy.
Laura Sugden has called on the government to bring in stricter regulations as there are 'no laws in place to help prevent crossbows from falling into the hands of twisted and dangerous individuals' like her attacker Anthony Lawrence.
Lawrence, who was their next-door neighbour, 55, burst into the home she shared with her partner, Shane Gilmer, in January 2018 after breaking in via the loft.
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He broke into the property in East Yorkshire after he was served with an eviction notice because the couple had complained about the smell of cannabis coming from his home.
He then shot the pair with a crossbow, fatally striking Shane through his arm and torso.
Laura, who was pregnant at the time with her now-five-year-old daughter Ella, was shot in the head with a bolt - which Lawrence then stabbed in her neck after she had pulled it out.
The mum managed to fight him off before escaping the home to get help, saying that Shane had risked his life to save hers and their unborn child's.
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Her husband was rushed to Hull Royal Infirmary, but tragically died due to his injuries upon arrival.
Lawrence fled the scene after the attack and was found dead of a drug overdose two days later in a lay-by in North Yorkshire, while an inquest in 2021 found that Shane had been unlawfully killed.
The coroner said that he would write to the Home Secretary about his fears regarding crossbow sales, while Laura said it was 'unbelievable' that the 'lethal' and 'medieval' weapons were so readily available with little regulations.
Under current laws, anyone over the age of 18 can possess or purchase a crossbow of any power rating.
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Laura says this is 'terrifying' and has been campaigning for licensing laws to be brought in since Shane's death, which would mean the weapons are treated in a similar way to gun ownership.
After launching a petition which gained more than 42,000 signatures in 2021, the Home Office responded by saying that crossbows were 'subject to statutory controls'.
As reported by ITV News, the statement said: "Legislation is already in place to deal with those who use crossbows as a weapon. The Government has no plans to legislate further at this time."
But in wake of a review, the Home Office has now initiated a call for evidence - a request for public feedback - to gain people's opinions on whether Brits should need a licence to own a crossbow.
Laura says that 'crossbows are just as lethal' as a shotgun and she would love to see 'some kind of guidance' brought in.
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She told Sky News: "There's nothing I would love more than to see some kind of guidance brought in around crossbows.
"It's scary to think that anybody can just get hold of them over the age of 18 and I feel like it's the last thing that I can do for Shane, to try and push for them to be brought in line with firearms.
"My only hope and wish is that no family has to go through, because of that weapon, anything that my family and Shane's family have."
Announcing the call for evidence in February, safeguarding minister Laura Farris said crossbows were 'used rarely' in violent crimes but said that they can be 'highly dangerous'.
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She said: "We’re doing all we can to ensure we have the appropriate measures in place against any risks these potentially dangerous weapons may pose.
"I encourage the public and those in the industry to come forward to share their views so we can have the most accurate picture and take any necessary action to keep our streets safe."
Olivia Burke