'Hitman' clue to shooting

POLICE are investigating whether a car dealer shot on his doorstep in a London suburb was the victim of a contract killer. Robin Wood, 47, died from a wound to the neck after a man who had rung the bell pulled a gun.

Mr Wood's 10-year-old son was in the house at Kempton Drive, Northolt, north-west London. A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "It is too early to say what the motive was. We will be looking into the victim's background. Of course detectives will consider whether this was a contract killing."

Mr Wood lived with his partner and their son, and an older son and daughter from a previous relationship, the Yard said. "We now know that the victim's partner answered the door to the suspect at about 10.40 on Saturday evening. The suspect asked her to call Mr Wood to the door because 'Terry' wanted to speak to him. As Mr Wood approached the front door he was shot."

The suspect is described as a white male between 25 and 35, 5ft 7in tall and slim with sharp features, wearing an unzipped dark-coloured anorak.

Police and the London Ambulance Service were called, but the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police appealed for anyone with information to contact the incident room on 0181 358 1735, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Up to 20 hitmen are believed to be operating in the South- East. They have carried out killings for between pounds 1,000 and pounds 20,000 a murder.