Devizes shooting: Friends of James Ward in shock

James Ward remains in a very serious condition in hospital

Friends of a Wiltshire solicitor who was shot in the head at his Devizes office have spoken of their shock at the incident.

James Ward, 58, was seriously injured during the shooting on Monday and is currently being treated in hospital.

Roger Chadwick, president of the Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Law Society, said the shooting had been such a real shock to everybody.

Michael Chudley, of no fixed address, is charged with attempted murder.

'Absolutely gobsmacking'

Mr Chadwick said: "You come into work, do all your normal work activities, and all of a sudden the chap next door is getting shot.

"It's absolutely gobsmacking."

Former colleague, Sandra Garrett, said Mr Ward was an "all-round good man".

"If I needed some advice about anything I went to Jim [because] I knew I'd get good sound advice from him.

"He was impartial and practical in his consideration."

Father-of-three Mr Ward, from Westbury, is known to friends and family as Jim and is the principal solicitor of Morris, Goddard & Ward Solicitors.

His condition at Frenchay Hospital, near Bristol, is described as "very serious".

Mr Chudley is also charged with making threats to kill to Daphne Courtney, possession of a sawn-off shotgun with intent to cause fear of violence to Daphne Courtney, and carrying a firearm with criminal intent to commit an indictable offence, namely murder.

The 62-year-old was remanded in custody by Salisbury magistrates on Wednesday and is due to appear before Winchester Crown Court on 18 July.