JEWELLERY and designer watches were stolen from the home of murdered businessman Guy Hedger.

At least two intruders wearing balaclavas and armed with a shotgun broke into the 61-year-old's home in Castlewood, near St Ives, in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Mr Hedger suffered a fatal gunshot wound during the incident.

His husband, Simon-Pierre Hedger-Cooper, witnessed the attack take place.

Police say Mr Hedger-Cooper is "absolutely devastated".

A manhunt for those responsible continues.

Police held another press conference at 3.30pm on Monday where they said they believed the raid was pre-planned.

Describing it as a “despicable crime”, Detective Superintendent Kevin Connolly said it was likely the victim was targeted.

"A man in his own home has been targeted and ultimately killed."

He said the intruders were "ruthless".

"Mr Hedger was an innocent man," he said.

"It's an awful crime."

The shotgun used by the robbers has not been recovered. Police have been seen lifting drain covers and searching in hedges near the scene of the murder.

Officers have also used drones to take aerial footage of the cul de sac.

The attack took place two hours after streetlights in the road turn off at 1am.

"It's horrific," Det Supt Connolly.

"These offenders are violent. They are at large and we are doing everything we can to identify them and bring them to justice."

The property is fitted with an alarm, although police have not confirmed if the alarm sounded.

A post mortem is taking place this afternoon.

Police say they don't know why Mr Hedger's home was targeted and no motive is yet known.

Detectives from the force’s Major Crime Investigation Team (MCIT) are leading the investigation.

Mr Hedger was listed as living at the property with Mr Hedger-Cooper, 48, a voluntary sector worker who was reportedly his husband of 12 years.

Police said he was "deeply affected by the incident" and he was being supported by specially trained officers.

Meanwhile the businessman's next-of-kin have asked for privacy at the "deeply traumatic time", police said.

The force said officers were called to Castlewood, a cul de sac with around nine large detached houses, at 3.03am to reports that "at least two intruders had entered a house".

Detective Chief Inspector Sarah Derbyshire, of MCIT, said: “We are still trying to establish a motive for the intruders and why this particular address in Castlewood was targeted.

“We believe there was an element of preplanning involved. Therefore we would urgently like to hear from anyone, who may have seen people or vehicles acting suspiciously in the area directly before or during the days leading up to the incident.

"This may have involved people in the area in general or paying particular attention to the specific house. Any small detail may help us with our investigation. Currently we do not believe the offenders were known to the victim, however we continue to investigate all lines of enquiry.

“I am also appealing for anyone who may have seen somebody making off from the area, maybe in a vehicle possibly driving recklessly, to contact Dorset Police as soon as possible."

“At this stage we are still trying to establish exactly what happened at the address in Castlewood and how and why this man was shot dead,” she said.

On Sunday, David’s Lane, which leads into Castlewood, was cordoned off while officers investigated the scene of the crime.

Residents reported hearing the police helicopter overhead in the morning.

Detective Superintendent Kevin Connolly of Dorset Police said: “Police were called to reports that intruders had entered a residential premises in a location called Castlewood.

“Upon arrival, officers discovered a 61-year-old man had been shot.

“He was taken to hospital, but tragically, he died.

“Subsequently, police launched a murder investigation, which is in the early stages.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at dorset.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting incident number 30:53.