TRIPLE killer Michael Atherton told one of his victims he would be out for the night ... only to turn up shortly afterwards and shoot her.

Atherton, who had a history of domestic violence dating back 10 years, sent a text message when he found out that partner Susan McGoldrick was out with her sister Alison Turnbull, who he blamed for his arrest in 2008 following a family row.

Less than an hour before the shootings took place, Atherton sent a text which said he was staying at a local hotel for the night.

Atherton, 42, shot dead Susan, 47, her sister Alison, 44, and her niece Tanya Turnbull, 24, before shooting himself in the head on New Year’s Day 2012 .

Susan’s daughter Laura, who was standing next to her mother in the kitchen, was sprayed across the face and shoulder and fled upstairs, fearing for her safety.

She later climbed out of an upstairs window, along with her boyfriend, who was in a bedroom at the time. Giving evidence at an inquest into the deaths yesterday, Detective Superintendent Paul Goundry said: “Four shots were fired. The gun only held three cartridges and it had to be reloaded. That would have taken seconds.”

The family had gone back to the house, on Greenside Avenue, in a taxi following a night out at the rugby club in Horden, County Durham.

Atherton’s son Michael and stepdaughter Laura confronted him after their mother told them he had hit her outside the rugby club that evening. Atherton then left the house to collect his gun from the car before carrying out the massacre.

A friend of the family, Susan Ferguson, was in the house at the time of the slayings but a split- second decision made by Atherton meant she wasn’t killed. Michael junior fled the house as Alison was shot.

Detective Superintendent Goundry said: “Susan Ferguson was sat on the settee. We don’t know if he never saw her or if he decided she wasn’t going to be part of the shootings. Although Susan says he did at one point look at her.”

Alison’s partner David Rowe and her niece Lauren Hardman avoided the massacre by not getting a taxi home with the women, but walking back from the rugby club.

Detective Superintendent Goundry said: “It must have been absolutely heartbreaking for David and Lauren to arrive at the house and witness the sight that unfolded in front of them.

“I’ve been there myself and it’s not something I would wish on anyone.”

The gun used in the shootings was shown as evidence. Survivor Laura broke down in tears when it was demonstrated in court.

The inquest continues. It is expected to conclude tomorrow after hearing evidence from Durham’s Chief Constable.