A HOUSE-SITTER was shot on the doorstep of a Godmanchester home in what could have been a case of mistaken identity.

A HOUSE-SITTER was shot on the doorstep of a Godmanchester home in what could have been a case of mistaken identity.

Two men knocked at the door of a semi-detached home in Anderson Crescent at 9.30pm last Tuesday (June 1) and shot the 41-year-old who answered the door in the groin.

The gunmen then ran off towards Meadow Lane.

The victim, who police said is from Godmanchester, was found by a neighbour lying in a pool of blood in the doorway.

He was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, with a single wound which was described as serious but not life-threatening.

Police confirmed yesterday (Tuesday) that the man had been discharged on Monday (June 7).

Neighbours believe the shooting was a case of mistaken identity and the gunmen shot the wrong man.

They told The Hunts Post the victim was looking after the house while the owner, Alan Taylor, was away on holiday.

Police refused to speculate on the gunmen’s motive and would only say that the injured man did not live at the house.

Mr Taylor, who is a builder in his 30s, had previously been targeted by masked men at his home on March 7. The men were carrying a Samurai sword and stun gun. Police said the armed men got into Mr Taylor’s house before he chased them out and the attackers fled. No arrests were made.

Mr Taylor’s uncle and next-door neighbour, Bob Burns, 65, said he believed the men in this latest incident were looking for his nephew.

“They were after my nephew. He has had death threats.”

In the aftermath of the shooting, neighbours spoke of their shock and alarm.

One resident of Anderson Crescent, who asked not to be named, told The Hunts Post: “I heard a loud bang and thought it was a firework or a car backfiring. I never expected it to be a gunshot.

“It’s so quiet round here, you never expected anyone to be walking around with guns.”

Another neighbour who lives opposite Mr Taylor said: “It’s scary. We are quite a close community so most people know what is going on.”

Other residents described the shooting as “awful” and “shocking” and one added: “I’ve lived here 50 years and nothing like this has ever happened. But I suppose this sort of thing can happen anywhere.”

Former Godmanchester mayor, Cllr David Brown, said the shooting had cast a dark cloud over the town.

“I feel deflated that people have to resort to guns to deal with their problems. It seems like a foul way of living. It’s surprising that people can so easily get hold of weapons. We like to think we live in a quiet area but its incidents like this that shows there is a thin fa�ade with undercurrents of trouble bubbling underneath.

“I do not know how the person who fired that gun can sleep at night.”

Police have conducted door-to-door inquiries and are appealing for the public’s help in tracing the gunmen.

Detective Inspector Mike Branston, investigating, said: “I would like to hear from anyone who saw these men in the moments leading up to the shooting and as they left the scene.

“Investigations are underway to trace them and we are treating this as an isolated incident.

“Thankfully these types of incidents are rare. However, we are treating this crime extremely seriously.”

INFORMATION: Anyone with information should contact DI Branston on 0345 4564564 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.