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More details emerge about George Pattison's life in Kent, years before suspected murder-suicide at Epsom College

By: Phil Hayes phayes@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 08:44, 11 February 2023

Updated: 10:16, 11 February 2023

More details have emerged about George Pattison's life in Kent, years before the suspected murder-suicide at Epsom College.

The former Canterbury schoolboy is believed to have murdered his wife and seven-year-old daughter Lettie before taking his own life at the school in Surrey.

The Pattisons were found dead at their home in the grounds of Epsom College last Sunday. Picture: John Wildgoose/Epsom College/PA

KentOnline revealed last week that George attended Barton Court Grammar School between 1994 and 2001, with ex-classmates expressing their shock at what had happened.

Further information about his time living in the county have been revealed this morning.

George's parents lived in Eythorne, near Dover, in the late 1990s where they ran the Post Office, it has been reported.

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One resident, who has lived in the village for almost 40 years, told the Daily Mail that George and his younger sister were "very pleasant" children.

The Pattisons later moved to Sandwich, where they are said to have set up their own travel agency.

Eythorne Post Office in Sandwich Road. Picture: Tony Flashman

They also lived in Deal and a former neighbour there told the newspaper George was "rather shy" and "extremely polite".

Detectives believe the 39-year-old accountant shot his wife and daughter before turning the gun on himself at their home in the grounds of £42,000-a-year Epsom College in Surrey.

The mother of one pupil has said "everyone is still in shock" following the horrific tragedy last Sunday.

Tributes have poured in for Emma, who five months ago became the first female head of the private school, after six years as head teacher of Croydon High School.

One former colleague described her as "adored" and a "real inspiration".

"Everyone who remembers him from Barton Court is shocked and sad..."

The Pattisons had been married for 12 years and appeared to have a happy life together.

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But it has since emerged that George reported Emma, 45, to police in 2016 for allegedly hitting him.

Emma was questioned by officers but no further action was taken.

At about midnight last Sunday, Emma made a distressed call to her sister Deborah who jumped in her car and drove to Surrey from London.

But when she arrived just after 1am she found the couple and their daughter dead.

Police at Epsom College in Surrey last Monday. Picture: Lucas Cumiskey/PA

It has also emerged that Surrey Police made a routine phone call to George on Thursday, February 2, to check his shotgun was being stored correctly.

Detectives believe he used the same weapons just days later to kill his wife and child before using it to take his own life.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) confirmed yesterday that it will not investigate Surrey Police over the contact the force had with George regarding his firearms licence.

Speaking last week, Dr Alastair Wells, chairman of the board of governors at Epsom College, said: “On behalf of everyone here, I want to convey our utter shock and disbelief at this tragic news.

“Our immediate thoughts and condolences are with Emma’s family, friends and loved ones, and to the many pupils and colleagues whose lives she enriched throughout her distinguished career.

Head teacher Emma Pattison was "adored" and a "real inspiration". Picture: John Wildgoose/Epsom College/PA

“She was a wonderful teacher, but most of all she was a delightful person."

One of George's former Canterbury classmates told KentOnline last week: "Everyone who remembers him from Barton Court is shocked and sad.

"Our thoughts are with their loved ones.”

After leaving Barton Court, George studied at Durham University before training with Deloitte and was admitted as a chartered accountant in 2008.

Epsom College won the top prize at the Independent Schools of the Year Awards 2022, with judges calling it a “beacon of excellence”.

It was also named the winner of the student wellbeing award at the October ceremony thanks to its “approach to mental health and the wellbeing of its staff and pupils”.

More than 850 boys and girls attend the school, which was founded in 1853.

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