Wirral family pay tribute to gun victim after killer jailed for 35 years

Feb 22 2012 by Gemma Jaleel, Birkenhead News

THE family of a gun victim have spoken of their “total devastation” at his death.

Brett Flournoy’s sister-in-law told of their grief as his killer Thomas Haigh was jailed for 35 years.

“Underworld enforcer” Flournoy, from Bebington, and his partner David Griffiths, 35, were gunned down by Haigh, 26, who owed them tens of thousands in drug debts.

Truro Crown Court had heard Mr Flournoy, 31, and Mr Griffiths had been bullying Haigh into making another trip to pick up drugs in Brazil when he killed them at a farm in Cornwall last June.

The bodies of Mr Flournoy, a boxer and pub landlord with two children, and dad-of-three Griffiths, from Berkshire, were burned before being buried in their vehicle near St Austell.

Haigh was found guilty of murder and sentenced to a minimum of 35 years in jail.

Jane Flournoy, Brett’s sister-in-law, made a statement on behalf of the family of the former British Army soldier whose fiancee Kelly, a staff nurse, gave birth to his third son after he died.

Jane said: “Much of what has been said about Brett throughout the course of this trial has been unsubstantiated and alleged by two people who have now been convicted of horrific crimes.

“We have been left totally devastated by Brett’s death. He was a loving son, fiance, father and brother. His death has left a huge gap in the lives of all our family. The worst thing is that as a result of the actions of Ross Stone and Thomas Haigh we never had a chance to say goodbye and we still expect him to walk though the door.”

Building contractor Stone had run up debts of between £30,000 and £40,000 with Mr Griffiths and Mr Flournoy after intervening to help a friend who was in debt. He said he faced constant death threats against him.