THREE men have appeared in court via video link accused of murdering a businessman who was shot dead at his home.

Insurance executive Guy Hedger, 61, died after intruders entered his £1 million home in Castlewood, near Ringwood, in the early hours of April 30.

Jason Baccus, 41, and Scott Keeping, 44, both of Verney Close, Bournemouth, and Kevin Downton, 40, of Winterborne Stickland, near Blandford, appeared at Winchester Crown Court charged with murder.

The three men are also charged with aggravated burglary, possession of a firearm and two counts of burglary allegedly committed on the same night Mr Hedger was shot.

No pleas were entered and a further plea hearing was set for September 8, ahead of a provisional trial date of November 14, before Mr Justice Popplewell.

Mr Hedger's husband, Simon-Pierre Hedger-Cooper, 48, was also in the house at the time of the alleged incident.

Mr Hedger was a director of the Avonbourne International Business and Enterprise Trust, which runs colleges and a primary school in the Bournemouth area.

A fourth defendant, Helen Cooper, 40, also known as Helen Keeping, of Poole, has been charged with assisting an offender and is due to appear at Poole Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.