Gunman shot near star's mansion

Richard Allen12 April 2012

A man seen carrying a handgun and Samurai sword was under arrest in hospital today after he was shot by police marksmen near the home of actress Penelope Keith.

Officers fired a plastic bullet to disable the 38-year-old man after he refused to put down his weapons and threatened to harm anyone who approached him. He also said he planned to shoot himself.

Police were called to the incident near Godalming in the early hours of yesterday after receiving numerous 999 calls from residents who reported a man walking in the road armed with a sword and a pistol.

He was spotted yards from the Surrey mansion of the actress who was made High Sheriff of the county last week.

Officers tried to negotiate with the man for more than an hour but called a tactical firearms team when their efforts failed.

A spokesman for Surrey police said: "As a result of him threatening the officers, a single baton round was fired to incapacitate him. The suspect was then disarmed, restrained and arrested for making threats to kill.

"He was taken by ambulance to the Royal Surrey County Hospital at Guildford, where he has been detained. His injuries are not considered to be life-threatening and he is under arrest in hospital."

Police were today at the man's bedside, waiting for him to be well enough to be interviewed.

Ms Keith, 62, and her husband, former police detective Rodney Timson, have lived at their Surrey home for 24 years. They were not believed to have been involved in the police operation to arrest the suspect.

Ms Keith said of her appointment as High Sheriff: "I have been fortunate in my life and it seemed only right that I should try to help others. For me, duty is something we should all possess at all times."

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