THE family of a convicted drug dealer who was shot dead on his own doorstep have revealed he was due to get married later this year.

THE family of a convicted drug dealer who was shot dead on his own doorstep have revealed he was due to get married later this year.

John Ward was shot at his St Osyth home at about 9.20pm on Tuesday. It was revealed yesterday that the 22-year-old, who had recently been released from prison, was shot in his neck with a shotgun.

Although paramedics fought to save Mr Ward he died about an hour after the incident in Point Clear Road.

Yesterday Mr Ward's family issued a tribute through Essex Police.

A statement said: “John was a loving and caring man to his family. He was only 22 years of age. John was the eldest of four children.

“He was planning with his fiancée his wedding for later this year. His family and fiancée are devastated by the cruel and quick way in which John was taken from them on Tuesday. We will always love him dearly.”

It emerged Mr Ward had been arrested and convicted last year as part of a major crackdown on Class A drugs in the Clacton area.

Operation Easel led to prison sentences for 16 men, including Mr Ward, who was sentenced to a two-and-a-half year stretch last year for his involvement in dealing crack cocaine and heroin.

It is still not clear why he had been released from prison, having only been sentenced in November last year.

An Essex Police spokeswoman said they were keen to find out how the gunman arrived and left the area.

She said a white transit van was seen parked about 500 yards from the house and she appealed to the owner to contact officers so the vehicle could be eliminated from the inquiry.

She also asked for anyone who had seen anything suspicious to get in touch.

Detectives were continuing house-to-house enquiries yesterday and forensics officers were still at the scene.

Anyone with information should contact Essex police's major investigation team on 01206 762122.

n A 24-year-old man from the Clacton area has been arrested on suspicion of murder. He is currently in custody and is being questioned by detectives.