Brighouse man shot by police was 'trying to turn his life around’

Jan 10 2009 by Joanne Douglas, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

‘He was really trying to turn his life around’

A FATHER-OF-THREE shot by police had spoken of turning his life around just hours before.

Bartholomew Buckley, known as Baz, was shot by police after a domestic disturbance at his Brighouse home in the early hours of yesterday morning.

The 44-year-old, of Whinney Hill Park, was taken to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary where he was operated on. He remains in a serious condition.

His close friend Lee Wharfe saw him just hours before the shooting and said he seemed in good spirits.

The 42-year-old said: “He was very placid, very calm. And very articulate and polite as well.

“He wanted to turn his life around. He had lost a lot of weight. Both my girlfriend and I said he was looking better than he had done in years.

“He was talking about finding a job, and doing up his house for his children.”

Mr Buckley is estranged from his wife. He is unemployed but once worked for Marshalls in Southowram.