This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/may/02/guy-hedger-family-pay-tribute-to-man-shot-dead-in-dorset-burglary

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Family pay tribute to man shot dead in Dorset burglary Family pay tribute to man shot dead in Dorset burglary
(35 minutes later)
The family of a marketing executive shot dead in front of his partner after at least two burglars, wearing balaclavas and armed with a shotgun, broke into their home have paid tribute to a “caring and compassionate man” who “lived life to its full”.The family of a marketing executive shot dead in front of his partner after at least two burglars, wearing balaclavas and armed with a shotgun, broke into their home have paid tribute to a “caring and compassionate man” who “lived life to its full”.
Guy Hedger, 61, was fatally injured in the early hours of Sunday at the couple’s detached Dorset village home in what is believed to have been a planned burglary. Jewellery and designer watches were taken.Guy Hedger, 61, was fatally injured in the early hours of Sunday at the couple’s detached Dorset village home in what is believed to have been a planned burglary. Jewellery and designer watches were taken.
Simon-Pierre Hedger-Cooper, 48, Hedger’s partner of 12 years, is said to be “traumatised” and being supported by family and specially trained police officers.Simon-Pierre Hedger-Cooper, 48, Hedger’s partner of 12 years, is said to be “traumatised” and being supported by family and specially trained police officers.
In a statement released via Dorset police, Hedger’s family said: “Guy was a caring and compassionate partner, son, brother and uncle who lived life to its full and enriched the lives of all those who knew him.In a statement released via Dorset police, Hedger’s family said: “Guy was a caring and compassionate partner, son, brother and uncle who lived life to its full and enriched the lives of all those who knew him.
“We are devastated that Guy’s life has been cut short in this way. Guy will be sorely missed by family, friends and colleagues, but he will live in our hearts forever. We ask for time to grieve in private.”“We are devastated that Guy’s life has been cut short in this way. Guy will be sorely missed by family, friends and colleagues, but he will live in our hearts forever. We ask for time to grieve in private.”
Officers were called at 3.03am to the couple’s cul-de-sac home in Castlewood, St Ives, near Ringwood on the edge of the New Forest national park.Officers were called at 3.03am to the couple’s cul-de-sac home in Castlewood, St Ives, near Ringwood on the edge of the New Forest national park.
DS Kevin Connolly said the shooting, which took place inside the house, was witnessed by Hedger-Cooper, a voluntary sector worker.DS Kevin Connolly said the shooting, which took place inside the house, was witnessed by Hedger-Cooper, a voluntary sector worker.
“We believe it was pre-planned as we know they went to the house armed and with a shotgun,” he said. “We believe it was pre-planned as we know they went to the house armed and with a shotgun,” he said. “This was a despicable crime. Mr Hedger was a respected marketing manager who was targeted in his own home. We believe they knew this was a high-value property.”
“This was a despicable crime. Mr Hedger was a respected marketing manager who was targeted in his own home. We believe they knew this was a high-value property.”
He said of Hedger-Cooper: “He is a material witness. He is obviously traumatised by what happened and is being supported by family and family liaison officers.”He said of Hedger-Cooper: “He is a material witness. He is obviously traumatised by what happened and is being supported by family and family liaison officers.”
It was likely the burglars knew people could be at home when they broke in, Connolly added.It was likely the burglars knew people could be at home when they broke in, Connolly added.
Richard Rowney, chief executive of the Liverpool Victoria (LV=) insurance company, said: “We were shocked to hear that Guy Hedger, our marketing and brand director, died over the weekend in tragic circumstances.Richard Rowney, chief executive of the Liverpool Victoria (LV=) insurance company, said: “We were shocked to hear that Guy Hedger, our marketing and brand director, died over the weekend in tragic circumstances.
“An extremely talented marketer, Guy was instrumental in building the LV= brand and he will be sorely missed by many. Our heartfelt condolences and sympathy are with his family and loved ones at this incredibly sad time.”“An extremely talented marketer, Guy was instrumental in building the LV= brand and he will be sorely missed by many. Our heartfelt condolences and sympathy are with his family and loved ones at this incredibly sad time.”
A major operation was launched following the break-in and a police helicopter was sent to search the area. A heavy police presence was deployed and the property sealed off. A major operation was launched after the break-in and a police helicopter was sent to search the area. A heavy police presence was deployed and the property sealed off.
Sniffer dogs searched the house as police conducted door-to-door inquiries on Monday and Tuesday.Sniffer dogs searched the house as police conducted door-to-door inquiries on Monday and Tuesday.
There was speculation the house, which was quite hidden, was deliberately targeted during a bank holiday and that intruders struck when they knew street lights would be off.There was speculation the house, which was quite hidden, was deliberately targeted during a bank holiday and that intruders struck when they knew street lights would be off.
Alex Barnes, 30, a local resident, said: “We think it must have been planned, as the street lights go off at 1am and then it’s pitch black. They obviously timed it for that window.”Alex Barnes, 30, a local resident, said: “We think it must have been planned, as the street lights go off at 1am and then it’s pitch black. They obviously timed it for that window.”
DCI Sarah Derbyshire of Dorset police’s major crime investigation team said: “This was a truly horrific crime and our deepest sympathies go out to Guy’s family and friends. Our thoughts remain with you all.DCI Sarah Derbyshire of Dorset police’s major crime investigation team said: “This was a truly horrific crime and our deepest sympathies go out to Guy’s family and friends. Our thoughts remain with you all.
“I want to reassure the public that we have the best detectives, officers and staff working day and night on this case. “I want to reassure the public that we have the best detectives, officers and staff working day and night on this case. The violent offenders responsible for this crime are still at large and we are doing everything in our power to bring these individuals to justice.
“The violent offenders responsible for this crime are still at large and we are doing everything in our power to bring these individuals to justice.
“I would ask the public to please get in touch with us if you have any information you think may be relevant to this investigation, no matter how small you believe it to be. That information could be the key to solving this murder.”“I would ask the public to please get in touch with us if you have any information you think may be relevant to this investigation, no matter how small you believe it to be. That information could be the key to solving this murder.”
Currently the police do not believe the offenders were known to the victim, however, they continue to investigate all lines of inquiry. The police do not believe the offenders were known to the victim, however, they continue to investigate all lines of inquiry.
Hedger is believed to have bought the six-bedroom house with Hedger-Cooper five years ago, after the couple moved from Brighton, according to reports.Hedger is believed to have bought the six-bedroom house with Hedger-Cooper five years ago, after the couple moved from Brighton, according to reports.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting incident number 30:53. Alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.orgAnyone with information is asked to contact Dorset police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting incident number 30:53. Alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org