Hunt for two suspects after man shot dead during break-in at Dorset home

Reports say 61-year-old marketing director fatally shot during burglary

Manhunt is under way after Guy Hedger was fatally shot (PA)

A businessman gunned down by intruders during an early morning break-in has been named by police as Guy Hedger, 61.

At least two suspects were at large as detectives launched a murder probe following the killing in St Ives, a village in East Dorset, in the early hours of Sunday.

According to reports, Mr Hedger, a successful businessman, died during a burglary at the £1m home he shared with his partner.

In the wake of the shooting, Dorset Police deployed a "heavy police presence" in the area and the house was sealed off by investigators.

The force said officers were called to an address in Castlewood, a cul-de-sac with around nine large detached houses, at 3.03am to reports that "at least two" intruders had broken into a property.

"One of the occupants – named by detectives as 61-year-old Guy Hedger – was shot," a spokesman said.

"Officers attended the address and Guy was taken to hospital where he was sadly pronounced dead a short time later."

The shooting sparked a major police operation, with a police helicopter scrambled to the area to search for the intruders, although no arrests were made.

It is understood Mr Hedger was a marketing director at Avonbourne International and Business and Enterprise Trust, which runs colleges and a primary school in the Bournemouth area.

Before working for the academies trust he was a marketing director at insurer Liverpool Victoria and had worked for Direct Line, it was reported.

Police said a second person in the property at the time of the "aggravated burglary" was "deeply affected by the incident" and was being supported by specially trained officers.

Mr Hedger was listed as living at the property with Simon-Pierre Hedger-Cooper, a voluntary sector worker who is reportedly his husband of 12 years.

The businessman's next-of-kin have been informed and have asked for privacy at this "deeply traumatic time", police said.

Detective Chief Inspector Sarah Derbyshire said police do not believe Mr Hedger was known to the intruders, although all lines of inquiry are being pursued.

She said: "At this stage we are still trying to establish exactly what happened at the address in Castlewood and how and why the victim was shot dead.

"Currently we do not believe the offenders were known to the victim, however we continue to investigate all lines of inquiry.

"I am appealing for anyone who may have seen or heard anything suspicious in the area, or was in the area at that time, to contact Dorset Police as soon as possible.

"There will be a heavy police presence in the vicinity and officers from the local Neighbourhood Policing Team will be carrying out high-visibility patrols to offer reassurance to the community and can be contacted with any concerns."

Dorset Police urged anyone with information to contact them at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk, or by calling 101, quoting incident number 30:53.

Alternatively they can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or via http://www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

PA