Clay pigeon champion George Digweed 'mentally scarred' after home raid

[Claybuster]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukn...Digweed-mentally-scarred-after-home-raid.html

Clay pigeon champion George Digweed 'mentally scarred' after home raid

The shooting star was beaten and tied up in his house while masked robbers stole his trophies

By Lexi Finnigan

3:26PM GMT 25 Feb 2016

A multi-world and European clay pigeon shooting champion said he has been left "mentally scarred forever" after his village home was robbed.

Four balaclava-clad men smashed through George Digweed's French doors while he was eating dinner with his wife Kate in their lounge.

Mr Digweed - who has 26 clay pigeon shooting world titles and was honoured with an MBE in 2009 - was badly beaten by the intruders at the property in Ewhurst Lane, Northiam, near Hastings, East Sussex.

The robbers stole cash, guns, trophies, medals and a Toyota Hilux 4x4 belonging to Mr Digweed, prompting an witness appeal by Sussex Police

Mr Digweed said in a statement posted on his website: "We are both mentally scarred forever. I'm also pretty sore.

"I'm going to try and carry on with my normal schedule as soon as I can and both of us are hoping that the ensuing months and years are a great healer."

In a YouTube video, Mr Digweed described the moment the four, masked raiders smashed their way in to his house through a set of french windows.

He said: "They beat me quite considerably with a heavy object, tied and bound us and then went round the house, ransacking, taking cash, some of my trophies, medals, a couple of guns unfortunately and my vehicle.

"So a pretty serious crime for a sleepy village like Northiam.

"I'm sure I was targeted because it was me and we had a purpose-built trophy room at the front of the house - which was probably a mistake.

"Without question the trophies were being targeted, though they didn't leave with as many as they perhaps could have done."

Mr Digweed said he couldn't see how life would ever return to normal after the "frightening" raid.

But said: "I think the increased security measures we have at home, which are pretty extensive, will help."

Kate Digweed described the incident as "horrendous" and the "most frightening thing" she had ever experienced.

She said there are blinds on the windows looking into the trophy room but admitted it could be seen from the street.

She told the Telegraph: "For people to do that to us in our own home is shocking.

"George is very high profile and the one thing I will never forget is seeing my husband, who I love, being hit with a club hammer.

"It was a terrifying ordeal and I hope they catch the people who did it."

Detective Inspector Rob Morland, of Sussex Police, said: "This violent incident has understandably been a distressing ordeal for the victims."

Anyone with information about the raid on Sunday February 21 is asked to call police on 101, quoting Operation Deansway, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

 

[Mr_Price]

I doubt criminals would break into an American "shooting superstar" house.

Such a sad story. All the best to the Digweeds.

 

[nowarningshot]

I doubt criminals would break into an American "shooting superstar" house.

Such a sad story. All the best to the Digweeds.

Yes in the US that would get you at least honarable mention in the annual Darwin awards. In the UK, the worst that could happen is you find yourself flying through the air...after the word "Pull".

 

[barrett50cal]

Hope they catch the scumbags.

As an aside, French doors as exterior doors, usually to the backyard, are an invitation to such lowlifes. There are at least 2 things you must do to secure French doors against easy break-in -- everyone fortifies them after they experience a break-in, but of course it should be done ahead of time.

 

[Mr_Price]

In the UK, the worst that could happen is you find yourself flying through the air...after the word "Pull".

And if they catch them? A few weeks at her majesty's holiday camp...

 

[adamg]

And if they catch them? A few weeks at her majesty's holiday camp...

So you are saying it would be the same as in Canada?

 

[gttsc]

did they raid the refrigerator?

 

[98/29]

Only two things can prevent crimes: 1- Socioeconomical reforms 2- Severity of punishment. Number one doesn't come over time, but the ability of citizens to to defend themselves as they say fit can come over night in comparison and will blow many scumbags into smithereens.

 

[tootall]

Guns and cash are a natural to steal, but why steal someone else's trophies?
How much demand is there in the underground crowd for an old trophy?

 

[Dogleg]

Guns and cash are a natural to steal, but why steal someone else's trophies?
How much demand is there in the underground crowd for an old trophy?

I was wondering the same thing. Who wants trophies? Who would have the guts to ever use high end and recognisable stolen target guns? Who would be stupid enough to buy either? It almost reads like the first half of a predictable detective show. Crazy stuff.

 

[underscore]

Does "They beat me quite considerably with a heavy object" seem odd to anyone else? Could someone be any more vague?

Regardless, it sounds like more of a personal attack directed towards him if they came when he was home, beat him and took the trophies.

 

[fraserdw]

I was wondering the same thing. Who wants trophies? Who would have the guts to ever use high end and recognisable stolen target guns? Who would be stupid enough to buy either? It almost reads like the first half of a predictable detective show. Crazy stuff.

International shooting trophies are likely in precious metals that can be melted down. Not much he could do that in UKstan, they arrest homeowners who resist, the ones that survival anyway.

 

[Win/64]

I doubt criminals would break into an American "shooting superstar" house.

Such a sad story. All the best to the Digweeds.

So if it wasn't Criminal's who was it?

 

[In The Black]

So if it wasn't Criminal's who was it?

I think he's referring to the likelihood of death to the intruder...in an "American" situation.

ITB

 

[hnachaj]

GD finished 2nd at 196 in the PanAfrican FITASC yesterday. Andras shooting the Renato Gamba was HOA and Tony Manvell was third. Today in the FITASC COMPAK both Andras and GD shot 99. GD shot a straight 100 SUndday to take the win. In 2012 at the Euro Compak in Hungary both Andras and GD were tied for HOA. They went straight in the first 25 shootoff. At the true pair "sudden death" second shootoff, GD got it on the second pair.

 

[Mr_Price]

So if it wasn't Criminal's who was it?

I think he's referring to the likelihood of death to the intruder...in an "American" situation.

ITB

This.

In the UK if GD had even managed to point a gun at the perpetrators he'd get a longer jail sentence than scumbag thieves. In most States the homeowner would get a pack on the back if they shot the idiots. I was therefore implying that most "criminals" in the US might not be so stupid as to target a home that belongs to such a recognized "good shot" for fear of death?

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