Further charge in Guy Hedger murder investigation

Helen Cooper, also known as Helen Keeping, has been charged with assisting an offender. She had previously been arrested on 2 May on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder and conspiracy to commit aggravated burglary and had been released under investigation.

She is due to appear at Poole Magistrates’ Court today, 26 July.

Mr Hedger, 61, was killed in the early hours of the morning on 30 April at his home in Castlewood, Ringwood, when he was shot after intruders reportedly entered his home.

Officers were called just after 3am reporting Mr Hedger had been shot with a shotgun. He was later pronounced dead shortly after arriving at hospital.

Kevin Downton, 40, from Winterborne Stickland near Blandford, 41-year-old Jason Baccus and 44-year-old Scott Keeping, both of Verney Close in Bournemouth, are all charged with murder. They are next appearing at Winchester Crown Court today, 26 July.

A 39-year-old Bournemouth man and 45-year-old Poole man previously arrested in relation to the incident were released under investigation.