Grieving wife changes name by deed poll (From Warrington Guardian)

Grieving wife changes name by deed poll

3:30pm Tuesday 10th April 2012 in News

A GRIEVING girlfriend has changed her name by deed poll after her partner was shot dead by a police officer.

Gail Hadfield, who is now called Mrs Gail Grainger, said she has talked about marriage just weeks before Anthony Grainger died.

The 29-year-old added: “We had a laugh about changing our names by deed poll before he died. So when this happened, I decided to do it.”

Mr Grainger was in a car stopped by armed police in Culcheth on March 3 during what was described by police as a “planned operation”.

The 36-year-old, from Deane Church Lane, Deane, was fatally wounded as he sat in the driver’s seat of the Audi after an officer fired a shot through the windscreen.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) launched an investigation, which revealed no weapons were found in the car.

The car had been stolen and had false registration plates.

A dispute has arisen over claims there was surveillance footage of Mr Grainger and the shooting.

Police have strongly denied the claims and say they have handed everything over to the IPCC.

Solicitor Nick Ross, speaking for Mrs Grainger, said: “We understand the police say there is no footage.

“We urge the IPCC do everything within their powers to obtain this evidence, which must exist. We fear a coverup, but any obstruction of the course of justice would itself be a grave matter.”

l Meanwhile the police officer in question has been interviewed over his role in the shooting.

The officer was interviewed under caution on Monday.