Police wait to question man injured in shooting

(First Edition)

DETECTIVES were yesterday waiting to question a man who suffered shotgun wounds to his leg after a pensioner returned home to find an intruder had forced the front door of his isolated home, writes Ian MacKinnon.

Only when officers have a complete picture of the incident will they pass the file to the Director of Public Prosecutions who will decided whether Tony Evans, 66, should face a charge of attempted murder.

Yesterday Mr Evans, who was arrested and later released on police bail, declined to comment on the incident at his home in the Kent village of Little Chart, near Charing, on the advice of his solicitor.

During the struggle on Monday afternoon Mr Evans, who has suffered eight burglaries, was attacked with a heavy china ornament and flung down the stairs, but recovered enough to fight back and break free to grab his rabbit gun.

After warning that he would shoot if the intruder attacked again, Mr Evans fired when the man advanced towards him.

Police arrived at Hunger Hatch Cottage - fortified with locks, grills and iron bars and set in 10 acres of land - to find Mr Evans standing over the man with his gun in hand.

The wounded man, a 34-year-old Londoner, underwent surgery to remove shotgun pellets. Yesterday he was under police supervision.

A Kent police spokesman said it was not a matter for the police to decide whether Mr Evans should face charges arising from the incident. But a file would be sent to the DPP.