News Beat
Jealous husband killed wife who represented Britain in clay pigeon shooting before turning gun on himself
A JEALOUS husband shot his wife dead before turning the gun on himself, an inquest heard.
Robert Jobson, 84, killed Rosemary, 69, at their North Lincolnshire home just days after he had been arrested for assaulting her.
The couple, who represented England in shooting competitions, ran a shooting school from their property in Thornton Curtis.
Inquests into their deaths, on July 14, 2023, heard Jobson had been detained on July 8 after attacking Rosemary.
He was conditionally bailed the day after, but ordered not to contact his wife or to go to their home.
The hearing heard he had previously overdosed in 2021 after an argument with his wife.
And, Rosemary had contacted cops a month before her death over concerns about guns in their home.
She told officers she was divorcing her husband, and all firearms were removed from the property by June 23.
The inquest was told Jobson thought his wife was having an affair with their friend, Peter Hrynyk, after the pair went on holiday.
But Hrynyk described their relationship as “platonic” in a statement read at the hearing.
He said Rosemary felt “very scared and vulnerable” at the time, and she was staying with him after being assaulted by her husband.
Tragedy struck when she went back home to pick up clothes, and Jobson shot her twice as she got out of her car.
The inquest heard Jobson had convinced a friend of the couple to lend him a shotgun that morning.
He claimed he needed the firearm to resolve an issue he was having with crows.
Jobson had bought a black car, which he parked in his neighbour’s driveway, the day before the horror.
A ballistics report showed the gun was fired from several metres away first, and then at close range.
After he killed his wife, Jobson shot himself in the neck in a shed at the side of the house.
Coroner Jayne Wilkes said the case was “of a particularly shocking nature” and the pair were “well-loved”.
She said: “On the balance of probabilities, Rose died from the deliberate and intentional act of her husband… this was an unlawful killing.”
She added “on the balance of probabilities, there was premeditation”.
Robert Jobson had died “from a deliberate act which he committed with the intention to end his life was ruled suicide”.
Domestic abuse – how to get help
DOMESTIC abuse can affect anyone – including men – and does not always involve physical violence.
Here are some signs that you could be in an abusive relationship:
- Emotional abuse – Including being belittled, blamed for the abuse – gaslighting – being isolated from family and friends, having no control over your finances, what you where and who you speak to
- Threats and intimidation – Some partners might threaten to kill or hurt you, destroy your belongings, stalk or harass you
- Physical abuse – This can range from slapping or hitting to being shoved over, choked or bitten.
- Sexual abuse – Being touched in a way you do not want to be touched, hurt during sex, pressured into sex or forced to have sex when you do not consent.
If any of the above apply to you or a friend, you can call these numbers:
Remember, you are not alone.
1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men will experience domestic abuse over the course of their lifetime.
Every 30 seconds the police receive a call for help relating to domestic abuse.
Robert Jobson’s daughter, Joanne Sheppard, described her father as hard-working and “a very proud man”.
The coroner also read a statement from Paula O’Donnell, Rosemary Jobson’s daughter from her first marriage.
She said: “It was clear that Ms O’Donnell urged her mum to leave Robert.
“But her mum said: ‘It’s OK, he loves me, he wouldn’t hurt me’.”
In her statement, O’Donnell added: “It has left a massive hole in my heart forever. I miss her so much.
“She was the most thoughtful person I know, always helping others, no matter what.”
While addressing family members in court, Ms Wilkes said: “What happened that day changed all of your lives forever.
“I extend my heartfelt sympathies to each and every one of you for the loss of Rose and Robert.”
She added: “All domestic abuse cases are investigated extremely seriously.
“There was nothing more that Humberside Police could have done to protect Rose, unfortunately.”
Rosemary was the 1998 British All Round Ladies Champion and won a team silver with England at the world shooting championships in New Zealand in 2002.
Jobson had also represented England and had more than 50 years’ coaching experience.
Their shooting school has been described as having some of the most beautiful gardens in the region and is set in 15 acres of grounds.
It has previously staged events ranging from stag parties to archery training and clay pigeon shooting for people with disabilities.
How to get help
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
