Bullet from John Lennon killer's gun up for auction

Brian Taylor was allowed to shoot the gun that killed Beatle John Lennon

A bullet fired from the gun that killed John Lennon is going under the hammer in the North East next week.

The "macabre" artefact was gifted by the New York Police Department to Northumbria Police officer Brian Taylor.

During a visit to the NYPD, officers let him shoot the gun Mark Chapman used to murder the Beatle and he kept the bullet for the rest of his life.

The late officer's family are now auctioning the pellet via Newcastle auctioneers Anderson & Garland.

Superintendent Brian Taylor was allowed to handle the .38 calibre handgun used by Mark David Chapman

Brian Taylor, who eventually became a Chief Superintendent at Northumbria Police, came into possession of the bullet when a trip to New York went awry.

He had taken a group of youngsters who hoped to become police officers to visit the NYPD when he was caught up in a shooting while travelling in a police patrol car.

By way of apology, NYPD officers took Mr Taylor to a museum where they displayed weapons used in infamous cases.

They allowed him to fire the gun that killed John Lennon and handed him the bullet and cartridge.

Mr Taylor framed the artefacts along with a picture of himself holding the gun and had it on display until his death.

John Lennon and Beatles memorabilia can be extremely valuable, auctioneers say

The bullet will be sold at auction on 29 February, with auctioneers unsure as to what kind of value such a "unique" lot will attract.

Fred Wyrley-Birch, director at Anderson & Garland, said: "It's one of those slightly macabre lots you get now and again that draws everyone's attention.

"There is a Beatles fanbase that is fanatical and a market for just about anything Beatles.

"But very seldomly do you get something so unusual and unique, it's difficult to know what it's worth and whether there's a market for it or not.

"It's a really interesting piece of Beatles memorabilia that probably can't be replicated."

He said the auction house had carried out intensive investigations to satisfy themselves that the artefact was genuine.