Solicitor shot in sleepy Wiltshire town
06 July 2012
The legal community was shocked this week when a solicitor in a sleepy English town was shot in the head at work. He remains in a serious condition, whilst one of the firm's former clients has been arrested and charged with attempted murder.

On Monday afternoon, police were called to the offices of Morris, Goddard and Ward in Devizes, Wilshire. In front of  a gathering crowd, partner Jim Ward was airlifted to hospital having suffered a single gunshot wound to the head. He is currently in a serious condition.

Devizes on Monday

Bystanders reported that a man was seen leaving the office and driving away in a car after the shooting. Half an hour later Michael Chudley, 62, was arrested by armed police in a neighbouring village and has since been charged with attempted murder, threats to kill, possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and carrying a firearm with criminal intent. Reports indicate that Ward's firm had previously successfully acted against Chudley, described by The Telegraph as a "Ferrari-driving builder", leading to his eviction from his home.

Ward had practised family law, which by its nature can expose lawyers to deeply personal disputes and yesterday it was suggested that Ward had previously been concerned about the security at his office.