By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 4:41 PM on 20th July 2009
Jonathan Cock was jailed for at least 25 years today after he admitted murdering his ex-girlfriend's father
A jilted boyfriend was jailed for at least 25 years today after he admitted murdering his ex-girlfriend's father before shooting both her and her mother.
Jonathan Cock believed partner Danielle Hustler ended their relationship following pressure from her Jehovah's Witness parents Adam and Amanda, a court heard.
The 24-year-old gunned down both parents on the doorstep of their luxury home and fired shots into the house, one of which stuck Miss Hustler.
Truro Crown Court heard that Mrs Hustler, 40, survived despite being shot twice in the back and Danielle was wounded in the arm, following the shooting on September 20 last year.
Jurors were told Cock met Miss Hustler when he got a job at the family drainage company where she also worked.
But after the 18-month relationship ended, he demanded to meet her in a supermarket car park to try and reconcile their differences.
Sarah Munro QC, prosecuting, said he took with him a loaded .22 calibre rifle with 15 rounds of ammunition which he had stolen from his father.
He also took a suicide note and two cards, one for if they decided to keep the relationship going and one for if they did not.
Ms Munro said he sent a text message to Miss Hustler saying she could take the easy option of coming to talk to him or the hard option.
When she refused to see him, Cock drove to the her house in Porth Kea, Cornwall, and went to the front door with the rifle which he then hid.
Ms Munro said that when Mr Hustler refused to let him in he grabbed the gun and a fight began with both parents.
The court heard that after they pushed him back both turned to return to the house and Cock shot Mrs Hustler twice in the back.
He then shot Mr Hustler, first in the back and then in the neck before firing a further five rounds into the house, one of which struck Miss Hustler who was calling the police.
Shooting victims Amanda and Danielle Hustler, pictured with younger sister Abigail (left) outside Truro Crown Court today, survived Cock's attack
The court was played the emergency call she made and the gun shots were clearly audible in the background and she told police: 'my mum's been shot and she can't move'.
Ms Munro said Cock then turned the gun on himself - the bullet went through his mouth and out through his skull, but did not kill him.
The court was told he drove himself home, went to bed and the next day replied to a call from Miss Hustler, initiated by the police, with a text message asking if she was okay and telling her she had 'chosen' the hard option.
Cock was later arrested and the court was told that due to the damage to his brain from the failed suicide attempt he has never had any recollection of the attack.
All the family were in the house at the time of the attack, including Miss Hustler's sister Abigail who was celebrating her 16th birthday. She escaped uninjured.
The court was told that the family's religious faith prevented any relationship with a non-Jehovah's Witness.
Ms Munro said that Cock was himself baptised as a Jehovah's Witness in March 2008, however he was 'abusive and arrogant' and referred to Mr Hustler as a 'manipulative little man'.
She said a month before the attack Cock sent a series of messages trying to change Miss Hustler's mind about ending the relationship.
The court heard that when she would not, he sent a message saying: 'I have one trump card left'.
The court heard medical reports that Cock was impulsive and dangerous and it was a 'crime of passion' where a spurned lover 'returned to take vengeance'.
Adam Hustler, pictured with wife Amanda, died after Cock shot him in the neck and back
Cock from Penzance, Cornwall, was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 25 years for the murder of Mr Hustler, 41.
He was given an indeterminate sentence for public protection for the wounding with intent to endanger life of Mrs Hustler and five years for possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life.
Mr Justice Royce ruled that the sentences were to run concurrently.
Mr Justice Royce said: 'The carnage you caused that night was chilling, terrible and tragic.
'Its effects on the Hustler family could not have been more devastating.'
He said that it was clear that Cock, who served for four years in the RAF, believed Mr and Mrs Hustler were 'highly influential' in the ending of the relationship.
In a personal statement read to the court, Mrs Hustler said her married life had been 'brutally destroyed' and her daughter said she felt guilt for what had happened.
She said: 'Emotionally I feel massive guilt that I allowed this man into my life and my family's life.'
After the verdict the family released a statement, which said: 'The family very much appreciate the professional services of the police and the legal system in dealing with this matter.
'It is a distressing time for the family as it brings back to mind details of the tragedy, and they have asked that we respect their privacy as they continue to cope with their grief.
'They would like to thank their neighbours and friends for their continued messages of support.
'Their faith in God and his power to put things right is a source of great comfort to them at this time.'
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Superintendent Michele Slevin, said: 'These were brutal crimes which led to the death of an innocent man who was a loving family man.
'The terrible events of September 20, 2008, will without doubt live with Mr Hustler's family for the rest of their lives and our thoughts today are with them at this most difficult and sensitive time.
'We wish to praise Amanda, Danielle and Abigail Hustler for their courage, both at the time of this incident and throughout the investigation.'