Barrister in gun siege shot five times by marksmen

BARRISTER Mark Saunders was hit at least five times by police marksmen during a shoot-out at his home, an inquest heard today.

The divorce specialist was killed after holing himself up in his £2.2 million London flat armed with his shotgun on Tuesday night.

Armed police moved in after he began firing shots at neighbours in the wealthy square in Chelsea.

He was shot in the head, the heart and the liver and the bullets were fired from several police weapons, an inquest at Westminster Coroner's Court heard this morning.

Coroner's officer Lynda Morris told the hearing that Mr Saunders did not suffer any injuries from his own shotgun.

She said: "The multiple gunshot wounds present are associated with severe internal damage to the brain, the heart, the liver and the main vein of the lower body.

The inquest heard that Mr Saunders's wife Elizabeth Clarke identified his body at Westminster Public Mortuary yesterday.

Independent Police Complaints Commission investigating officer Paul Craig told the inquest that a fuller report may take up to six months to prepare. Coroner Dr Paul Knapman adjourned the inquest until September 9.