A man who was shot and injured while trying to burgle a remote caravan has been sentenced to ten years’ imprisonment.

Anthony (Tony) Hearn, 48, of Moreland Close, Colnbrook, was injured while trying to get into the caravan which belonged to 72-year-old Reuben Gregory and his sister Kathleen in the early hours of June 12, intending to steal from them.

Wayne Digby, who was trying to break in with him, was killed.

Hearn later pleaded guilty to the charge of conspiracy to commit aggravated burglary at the caravan off the Colnbrook Bypass and was sentenced at Reading Crown Court today.

Hearn had been carrying cable ties, accelerants and a machete as part of the attempted burglary.

As he and Wayne Digby were attacking the door of the caravan, Mr Digby was shot in the abdomen by Mr Gregory. He subsequently died of his injuries. Hearn was injured.

Mr Gregory alerted the police himself, telling them when they arrived to find Mr Digby’s body/ He had said: “‘I’m the one that’s done it mate.”

After the court hearing Det Ch Insp Andy Shearwood of the Major Crime Unit, said: “There is no doubt that this is a tragic incident for all concerned which has resulted in terrible consequences, including the death of Wayne Digby and our thoughts are with his family.

“However it cannot be ignored that the incident began with a conspiracy to burgle from vulnerable occupants of a remote home and that the co-conspirators were prepared to use force to get what they wanted.

“Without that intention none of this would have happened.

“The sentence reflects the severity of the offence.”

*Reuben Gregory pleaded guilty at a separate hearing to possession of a shotgun without a certificate in connection with this incident and is awaiting sentencing. He is due to be sentenced next month at Reading Crown Court.