Cartier and Amadeus watches taken in fatal gun raid, court is told

JEWELLERY INCLUDING Cartier and Amadeus watches and diamond rings were among goods worth £124,000 stolen from the home of a businessman shot dead during a botched burglary, a court has heard.

Guy Hedger, 61, was killed during the raid at his £1m home in Castlewood, Ashley, near Ringwood, Hampshire, in the early hours of April 30. The trial at Winchester Crown Court has heard that the raiders shot Mr Hedger after his husband, SimonPierre Hedger-Cooper, pressed a panic button as they were being held at gunpoint in their bedroom.

The jury was told that among the items stolen were a Pandora bracelet which Mr Hedger had given to his civil partner of ten years and which had charms including their star signs and a Bible.

Other items taken included a 14-carat gold ring with rubies and emeralds, a Tiffany necklace and several watches including brands Amadeus and Cartier.

Julie Green, the half-sister of defendant Scott Keeping, told the trial that her half-brother was a long-term drug addict and drinker since he was a teenager.

She agreed with the suggestions of Keeping’s barrister, Nigel Pascoe QC, that Keeping and his wife and co-defendant Helen were “absolutely chaotic”.

She said Keeping came to her home a few days later with co-defendant Jason Baccus saying a document she had was his and said it was for a Ford Focus parked on the street outside her Bournemouth home.

The prosecution allege that a Ford Focus was used by the defendants during the burglary.

Baccus, 42, and Keeping, 44, both of Verney Close, Bournemouth, along with Kevin Downton, 40, of Winterborne Stick- land, near Blandford, murder.

Helen Keeping, 40, from Poole, denies two charges of assisting an offender. The three male defendants also pleaded not guilty to charges of aggravated burglary and possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear or violence. Baccus and Downton deny an offence of burglary. The trial continues. all deny