Suspected burglar shot in county village

A WATCHMAKER has been arrested for attempted murder after allegedly shooting a burglar at his isolated home.

Malcolm White, named locally, is alleged to have shot one of two men who were allegedly trying to steal his new car from outside his home in Whitbourne, on the Worcestershire/Herefordshire border.

They fled, but the injured man, in his 20s, was later found seven miles away in Leigh Sinton with gun shot wounds to his leg.

Yesterday the injured man remained in Worcestershire Royal Hospital where his condition is described as serious but stable.

His injuries are not said to be life-threatening and he was said to be helping police with their enquiries.

A second man, in his 20s, was arrested at the scene by police on suspicion of attempted burglary and was last night in custody at Worcester police station.

West Mercia Police were called to Leigh Sinton by ambulance crews who had found the bleeding man on the ground outside a Chinese takeaway on the main Worcester to Hereford Road at 8pm on Wednesday.

Mr White, who owns a small-holding on the outskirts of Whitbourne, was later arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and was being questioned at Hereford police station.

It is not yet known exactly when or where the man was shot.

Meanwhile, locals have rallied around Mr White with one saying they were “110 per cent” behind his actions.

“Good on him I say,” said one villager.

Mr White is a semi-retired watchmaker, clock repairer and horologist who lives with his wife and two dogs and is described as “a quiet gentleman” by the Rev David Howell, rector of Greater Whitbourne Parish.

He even fixed the clock at St John the Baptist Church in Whitbourne for free.

Mr Howell said Mr White had worked in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter before moving to the village to run his small-holding and “enjoy the good life”.

“He isn’t a church-goer, more a man of science and interested in mechanical things.

“There’s a good many retired people in the village and I think they’ll be worried but to be honest I don’t think most know what has happened.

“I live very nearby but heard nothing at all on the night, but do remember seeing a police car there which I thought was a bit unusual.”

Sue Heywood, 62, retired school teacher, said: "It happened around 8pm in the evening but none of us heard anything.

"We don’t know Malcolm very well – he kept himself to himself but as far as I knew him he was softly spoken, very serious and gentle natured.”

A Leigh Sinton resident, who declined to be named, said he saw the man “lying on the pavement” before police arrived.

“A lot of police turned up very quickly,” he said.

Julian Burton, whose Mixed Martial arts centre is near where the wounded man was found, said: “A policeman came in and said someone had been shot down the road.

“I came out to have a look but by this time they had taken the person away.

"There was a lad hanging around and he said his brother-in-law had been shot in the leg while walking to the Chinese. They had Birmingham accents.

“He said they were just having a drive around and stopped to get a Chinese but the driver took off because he had no insurance.

"It’s a bit of a funny area to be driving around in.

"It seems someone had dumped him in the village and disappeared. I don’t think he was shot in the village.

"I think he had been shot elsewhere and the driver had panicked and chucked him out the car.

“It’s all a bit mysterious.”

Police blocked the A4103 diverting traffic away from the area.

A fingertip search of the road was carried out yesterday morning as police continued to try and piece together what exactly happened.

Officers also cordoned off Mr White’s home which is down a quiet country lane and forensics were sifting for clues.

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Hughes at Hereford CID, who is leading the investigation, said: “This is obviously an extremely serious incident and the major investigations team is working with officers at both scenes.

"However, I wish to reassure local residents this is a contained incident.

“We have two men in custody and we believe there is no further threat to the public in the area of the Worcestershire-Herefordshire borders.

“We are appealing for any witnesses who may have seen or heard anything suspicious in the areas around Whitbourne and Leigh Sinton between 7.45pm and 8.15pm.

“We are keen to hear from anyone who may have seen a suspicious vehicle, possibly being driven at speed, travelling along routes between Whitbourne and Leigh Sinton, as well anyone who saw the two men in their 20s in the centre of Leigh Sinton.

“Police remain in Leigh Sinton and Whitbourne conducting house-to-house inquiries and forensic investigations, and providing reassurance to local residents.”

He thanked residents for their patience.

Road chaos as forensics officers move in

THERE was traffic chaos for commuters yesterday morning as the Worcester to Hereford road was closed in both directions.

The A4103 in Leigh Sinton was shut as police forensic investigators examined the road near to where a man was found with a gunshot wound.

The road was initially closed at about 8pm on Wednesday night.

Rush hour traffic heading away from Worcester yesterday morning was diverted via Stocks Lane and onto the A449 Malvern Road or through country lanes around Alfrick and Suckley.

Traffic heading into Worcester was also forced to find alternative routes resulting in heavy traffic on the A44 and A449.

The A4103 was reopened at just after 3.30pm yesterday.

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Hughes, of West Mercia Police, said: “The road is now open in Leigh Sinton and cordons are down.

"I would like to once again thank members of the community for their patience and co-operation regarding this incident.”

NOTE: This story has developed further since the original incident. Read the latest article here: Dope farm found at shooting scene