Two arrests in country house shooting

Police investigating the shooting of a wealthy businessman in his country home in Essex have arrested two men.

The victim, named locally as Timothy Mardon, suffered a gunshot wound to his leg during the raid on his Grade II-listed home in Sible Hedingham on 6 February.

Essex Police confirmed on Wednesday that officers had arrested two men, aged 27 and 23 and both from Sible Hedingham, shortly after midnight.

They are being held on suspicion of attempted murder and aggravated burglary.

The force said earlier that Mr Mardon was shot through a door after lockinghimself in a bedroom.

Officers have said he faced the prospect of having his leg amputated after ittook the full force of the blast.

The suspects fled empty-handed, the force added.

Father-of-two Mr Mardon, who is in his 40s, is a division president at ACETempest Re, a Bermuda-based insurance company.

He is believed to spend much of the year living in Bermuda with his wife.

Anyone with information should call Braintree CID on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.