Nicholas Prosper’s father Ray struggled to contain his emotions as the court heard how the deaths of his other family members prevented the twisted murderer from carrying out a school shooting
Nicholas Prosper: Police and CPS give statements following sentencing
The father of twisted triple murderer Nicholas Prosper burst into tears at Luton Crown Court today as the judge told how the deaths of his family members “are almost certain to have saved the lives of many children”.
Prosper, 19, shot his mother Juliana Falcon, 48, and siblings Giselle Prosper, 13, and Kyle Prosper, 16, at the flat the family shared in Luton, Bedfordshire, on September 13 last year, and stabbed his brother more than 100 times. He was jailed for life for the murders with a minimum term of 49 years after the court heard how he was also planning to carry out a mass shooting at his old primary school.
Prosper managed to forge a gun licence and used it to buy a shotgun and 100 cartridges from a legitimate firearms dealer the day before the murders. Police believe Juliana spotted the shotgun and confronted her son, leading to a struggle as he began attacking his mother.
READ MORE: Nicholas Prosper: Urgent calls to change law that allowed school shooting planner to get shotgun
Her intervention changed everything, as the noise from the killings alerted neighbours and meant police would be on their way. In turn, Prosper’s plan to shoot children had to be brought forward. He was arrested on his way to the school.
Prosper’s father Ray, who was supported by a number of family members in the public gallery, cried as Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb explained how the family’s deaths “are almost certain to have saved the lives of many children”.
She added: “The community owes them its gratitude and their memory should be honoured. I am conscious that nothing I can do or say can reflect the worth of Juliana, Kyle and Giselle’s precious lives or the depth of their shocking loss for their family and friends. Nevertheless, I want to express the court’s sincere condolences.”
The judge had earlier told Prosper: “Raymond Prosper has described the desolation of his family as a loss that will never be healed. He considers himself to have lost two sons, Kyle and you.
“Juliana Falcon was hard-working. She cared for her children and tried to persuade you to get help when he was struggling at school. She was an innocent victim of an ungrateful, unfeeling son whose only wish was to be famous through destroying the lives of young children.
“Kyle Prosper was sixteen with his whole future ahead, he fought bravely for his life, but there was no contest with his older, armed brother. Giselle was just thirteen years old, a smiling girl, no doubt the treasure of her parents and friends.”
Prosper did not appear to look at his heartbroken dad, or his other relatives, once during the 40-minute hearing. He entered the dock at 12.19pm before spending the entire hearing sitting hunched forward with his head between his legs while staring at the floor.
He stood up hunched over and confirmed his name at the start of the hearing, but did not stand up when the judge ordered him to do so to hear his sentence towards the end. The teenager had an emotionless expression as he stood up and was escorted from the dock by an officer.
