A GUN enthusiast who shot dead a father-of-two over a feud between their two sons had surrendered guns returned to him twice by police, it has emerged.

Matthew Moseley, of Barnard Close, Oswaldtwistle, tried to blame his own son Thomas for the killing of road worker Lee Holt and will serve a minimum of 26 years in jail before he is eligible for parole.

After the sentencing, it emerged that Moseley had twice voluntarily surrendered his weapons and certificates after police received complaints from neighbours, including a complaint that he had threatened a neighbour.

But no charges were made against him and his guns were returned to him.

Lancashire police has voluntarily referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) over the matter.

A Lancashire Police spokesman said: “Prior to the incident Matthew Moseley was a firearms and shotgun certificate holder. His certificate was not due to expire until May 2019.

"In 2005 Matthew Moseley voluntarily surrendered his weapons and certificates after Lancashire Constabulary received a complaint that he had threatened a neighbour. After consideration of the evidence by the CPS no charges were brought against Moseley. His certificate and weapons were returned to him later that same year.

"Following complaints from neighbours in 2011, Moseley voluntarily surrendered his weapons and certificates once more. Again these allegations did not result in any charges being brought and following a review in March 2015, Moseley successfully applied for the return of his shotguns."

A spokesman for the Independent Office for Police Conduct confirmed it had received a voluntary referral from Lancashire Constabulary earlier this year.