A MAN who was shot dead by intruders in the St Ives area of Ringwood has been named.

At 3.03am yesterday (Sunday), police received reports that at least two intruders had entered a house in Castlewood.

One of the occupants, 61-year-old Guy Hedger was shot.

Officers attended the address and Mr Hedger was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later.

A second occupant in the address at the time has been deeply affected by the incident and is being supported by specially trained officers.

A murder investigation has now been launched by detectives from Dorset Police’s Major Crime Investigation Team (MCIT).

Mr Hedger's next of kin are aware and are being supported by specially trained officers. 

The address in Castlewood has been cordoned off while crime scene investigators carry out their examinations.

Detective Chief Inspector Sarah Derbyshire, of MCIT, 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 enquiry.

“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.”

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

The CEO of Avonbourne Trust, Debbie Godfrey-Phaure, said: "Everyone at Avonbourne Trust is shocked and deeply saddened by the passing of Guy Hedger.

"Guy was one of the founding directors of Avonbourne Multi-Academy Trust when it was formed in 2012.

"He became a director through his role as marketing director of LV= in Bournemouth, which is a long standing business partner of Avonbourne.

"Guy was a very kind and generous man who volunteered and gave his time freely to Avonbourne.

"As a trust we benefitted greatly from Guy’s lifetime experience of finance and marketing and we will always be grateful for the significant contributions he made.

"Guy had a deep passion for education and was dedicated to expanding the experience and knowledge of children in Bournemouth.

"Everyone at the trust will miss his guiding hand, friendship and the wonderful service he provided us."

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

A spokesman for the company confirmed that Mr Hedger was the firm's marketing and brand director.

He said: "We were all shocked to hear that our friend and colleague Guy Hedger, LV='s marketing & brand director, died over the weekend in such 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."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at 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.