FORMER prison worker Edwin Gene Hoskins was facing a long jail sentence today after being found guilty of the attempted murder of his neighbour with a shotgun.

Hoskins, 62, of The Cottage, Blacknor Fort, Weston, Portland, claimed he shot neighbour and longstanding acquaintance Graham Roger Vranch by accident after inviting him to his home to discuss a property dispute.

But a jury at Salisbury Crown Court took four hours to decide that Hoskins had deliberately tried to kill Mr Vranch by blasting him in the chest with a 12- bore shotgun just before 9am on Sunday, February 22, of this year.

Judge Keith Cutler ordered medical and psychiatric reports to be drawn up before sentencing Hoskins at a later date.

He warned the former Verne Prison and Portland carpenter, joiner and instructor that he faced a significant sentence or could be indefinitely detained depending on his mental state.

Former Verne Prison officer Mr Vranch, 62, whose Stables home is 70 yards from Hoskins' at Blacknor Fort, told how pleased he was that the ordeal was over.

Mr Vranch, who was accompanied by his wife Janice, daughter Lisa, and his father and uncle throughout the trial, said: "It is a relief.

"I have been coping okay but it has affected my wife more. It has still been a terrible strain and we are glad it is all over.

"Now it is a case of picking up the pieces and getting on with our lives.

"It is sad that this all ever had to happen in the first place as it wasn't necessary."

He added: "It is good to know that the jury system works and that justice has been served.

"I appreciate so much what the police have done. My wife, daughter and family have also been marvellous.

"We are not drinkers, but this will be a very good weekend."

Mrs Vranch said she was glad that it was all over and that she would be able to sleep easy in her bed now.

She added that she had been putting off buying a dress for her daughter's wedding in August because of the strain, but now intended to go out and get one.

Hoskins, who lives alone, blasted Mr Vranch in the chest with a cartridge from his double barrelled shotgun at a distance of less than five feet after telling him 'don't move you bastard, you are dead'.

Hoskins claimed that it was an accident while on his way out to shoot foxes.

But the jury heard that it was the first time he had got the gun out in five years and that Mr Vranch's injuries should have been on the other side of his chest if the shooting had happened how Hoskins said.

Mr Vranch needed emergency surgery to remove ten pellets from his body following the shooting with the Spanish-made weapon and he told the jury that he only avoided being killed by moving just before Hoskins fired.

Hoskins kept his arms crossed and showed no emotion in dock as the verdict was read out, although one of the seven female jurors was in tears. Mrs Vranch's daughter Lisa went out to tell her parents, who were waiting in a side room.

The jury did not need to make decision on a second charge of wounding with intent after finding Hoskins guilty of the more serious charge of attempted murder.

The maximum sentence for attempted murder is life and Hoskins could end up serving at least 10 to 12 years in jail.

Hoskins and Mr Vranch had known eachother for 34 years and bought properties at Blacknor Fort in a joint enterprise in 1978 but did not speak for 14 years after a dispute over dogs.

They agreed n the 1978 pact that the other would have first refusal if either wanted to sell. Late last year Hoskins decided he was going to sell the land or sign an equity release deal with a company.

This deal would have meant the company giving him payments and then taking over the land at a later date or taking the money if he sold the property.

Hoskins claimed that estate agents placed the value of his property at upto £250,000 although he said the likely price was lower. Hoskins shot Mr Vranch after he invoked his right to make the first offer with a £55,000 bid. An independent arbitrator was to set the value of the land but Hoskins shot Mr Vranch before it was set.