CRIMINAL charges will not be brought against two Surrey Police staff members under investigation for returning guns seized from Tilford double-murderer John Lowe, 84, who is serving a life sentence for shooting his partner Christine Lee and her daughter Lucy in February 2014.

Surrey Police seized the licensed firearms following an allegation that Lowe had made threats to use them in March 2013.

The allegations were later withdrawn, and in July 2013 a decision was taken to return the firearms to Lowe after he complained he had lost 80 hens.

Seven months later, Lowe shot and killed both women as they tried to make their escape from his home at Keepers Cottage Stud in Waverley Lane.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) investigated Surrey Police’s decision and recommended two staff members should face gross misconduct hearings in February 2016.

One was dismissed without notice in November but the other had already quit the force.

The investigation was also referred to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) which has announced it has decided not to bring criminal charges against the individuals.

A CPS spokesman said: “Following careful consideration we have concluded there is insufficient evidence to provide a realistic chance of convicting two civilian officers from Surrey Police in connection with the return of John Lowe;s shotguns in July 2013. Therefore, the CPS will not be taking any further action against them.”

Surrey Police are now awaiting publication of the full IPCC report. An IPCC spokesman said: “The investigation concerning Surrey Police’s decision to return firearms to John Lowe, found there was sufficient evidence to recommend two of the staff investigated should face gross misconduct hearings.

“Surrey Police agreed with the misconduct recommendations and the force held a hearing for one individual, who was dismissed without notice in November.

“The second individual retired before a hearing could take place.

“Following the conclusion of associated proceedings, we will be liaising with all interested parties concerning the publication of our investigation findings in the near future.”

The IPCC report was put on hold until the conclusion of the trial involving Lowe and Stacey Banner, Christine Lee’s daughter, who were both accused of defrauding Lowe’s former partner Susanna Wilson of more than £1,000 in the months before her death, aged 84, in 2013.

Banner, a 42-year-old carer, was convicted of five charges of fraud at Guildford Crown Court on January 20, but reporting restrictions were only lifted last week.

The decision was made not to proceed with the Lowe trial, as it was not deemed to be in the public interest.

Banner was convicted of fraud totalling £107,950 and sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for 18 months.