Woman charged with assisting an offender in Businessman Murder Guy Hedges

A woman arrested in connection with the murder of a businessman shot dead in his Dorset home has been charged, police said. Helen Cooper, also known as Helen Keeping, is accused of assisting an offender in relation to the murder of Guy Hedger. The 40-year-old, of Poole, is due before Poole Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday. Mr Hedger, 61, was shot dead after at least two intruders entered his home at St Ives near Ringwood, in the early hours of April 30. 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 Bournemouth. Three men – Jason Baccus, 41, and Scott Keeping, 44, both of Verney Close, Bournemouth, and Kevin Downton, 40, of Winterborne Stickland, near Blandford – have been charged with murdering the insurance executive, who died from gunshot wounds. They are due to appear at Winchester Crown Court on Wednesday. A 39-year-old Bournemouth man and a 45-year-old Poole man previously arrested in relation to the incident have been released under investigation. Earlier this week, charity Crimestoppers offered a £10,000 reward for information leading to the recovery of a shotgun used during the incident as well as jewellery reportedly stolen. Among the items taken were diamond wedding rings, an emerald and diamond ring, a diamond Cartier watch and a black onyx ring. Detective Chief Inspector Sarah Derbyshire, who is leading the investigation, said: “While three men have been charged with Guy’s murder, our investigations continue including the recovery of the firearm and reported stolen items. The independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers has issued this £10,000 reward for information and I am very grateful for their support.