A man shot by burglars in Sible Hedingham is lucky to be alive but his leg may need to be amputated, police have said.

East Anglian Daily Times: Image released by Essex Police showing the door that was shot through by burglars in Sible Hedingham.Image released by Essex Police showing the door that was shot through by burglars in Sible Hedingham. (Image: Archant)

The man, named locally as Timothy Mardon, was shot by what police believe was a .410 shotgun during a break-in at the Grade II listed property in Rectory Road, shortly before 4.40am on Saturday.

Two men had entered the property – both aged in their 20s, of slim build and wearing dark clothing when the shot was fired.

The man was shot after he locked himself in a bedroom.

One of the suspects is described as bald.

Detective inspector Rob Kirby said: “Our victim remains in hospital receiving treatment and his doctors are still battling to save his leg. He faces the very real prospect that it may have to be amputated.

“His leg took the full force of the blast as he stood with his foot against the door to keep it shut and if he had been standing in a slightly different position he could easily have been killed.”

Det Insp Kirby said detailed forensic analysis of the shot had been recovered, and along with the damage caused to the door added that he believed a .410 shotgun was used to shoot the victim.

He added: “This type of shotgun is smaller and lighter than a regular shotgun. If anyone has information on this weapon or believes they have sold ammunition of this type to someone matching our suspects’ descriptions then we would like to hear from them.

“We strongly believe that the men responsible for this vicious, unprovoked attack will be known to someone within the local community, and we urge anyone who thinks they may have information, to tell us what they know.”

Father-of-two Mr Mardon, who is in his 40s, is a division president at ACE Tempest Re, a Bermuda-based insurance company. He is believed to spend much of the year living in Bermuda with his wife.

Anyone with information can call Braintree CID on 101 or ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, which offers rewards for information leading to the arrest or conviction of offenders.