Cheryl Hooper: Man charged with the murder of Newport mother
A man has been charged with the murder of a woman who was shot outside her Newport home.
Andrew Jonathan Hooper, 46, of Sutton, Newport, was charged with the murder of Cheryl Gabriel-Hooper on Friday morning and appeared at North Staffordshire Justice Centre.
He has been remanded in custody and will next appear at Stafford Crown Court on Tuesday.
Ms Gabriel-Hooper, who was 51, was shot in the neck and killed outside her home in Farmers Gate on January 26.
Gunshots were heard by terrified neighbours at just after 11pm, and then screams from Cheryl’s daughter.
Paramedics were called, but were unable to save her.
Police closed off the area and worked into the following day investigating the scene.
Donna Campbell, who was among the first to call 999, said it had sounded like fireworks going off.
"I looked out the window and saw a vehicle driving off and a girl screaming," Ms Campbell said. "She said her mum had been shot."
Ms Gabriel-Hooper had only recently moved to the area, although she was well known within Newport.
Her death led to an outpouring of grief from the Newport community, which also banded together to raise funds in her name.
Nearly £7,000 was raised by over 190 people and was given to help support Ms Gabriel-Hooper's daughter.
The page was set up by her colleagues at Lawley Dental Practice in the hope that it could ease the financial worries for Mr Gabriel-Hooper’s daughter in the coming years.
Organisers of the fundraiser said: "Cheryl was a beautiful person inside and out, always smiling and always ready to help those in need.
"We want to help ease the financial worry for her and also Cheryl's parents. Cheryl was always so proud of her daughter and anyone that meets her can see why."
A candle-lit vigil attended by more than 150 people was held outside her home, with speeches by Reverend Zoe Heming of nearby St Andrew's Church.
And churches all over Newport, Lilleshall and parts of Telford opened their doors for people who wanted to mourn. Several hosted memorial books for those that wanted to write a message.
Two police forces are still being investigated by the Independent Office for Police Conduct after it emerged Ms Gabriel-Hooper had reported incidents to police in the weeks leading up to her death.
The IOPC said Ms Gabriel-Hooper had contacted Staffordshire Police on January 12, reporting a number of domestic incidents.
To give to the fundraiser visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/forcheryl
