A fourth man has been charged with murder in relation to a shooting.

John Ward received a fatal gunshot wound to the neck after he answered the door to his house in Point Clear Road, St Osyth, in March.

Martin Valentine, of Viola Close, South Ockendon, was questioned in July and released on bail. The 42-year-old has now been charged with Mr Ward's murder.

The painter appeared at Worcester Magistrates' Court yesterday and has been remanded in custody until his next appearance at the town's crown court on Tuesday.

Three other men, Vishnu Bhaskaran, 27, of The Willows, Colchester; Martin Brown, 25, of Windmill Road, Bradfield; and Steven Walker, 27, of Fernwood Avenue, Holland-on-Sea; have already been charged with murder.

They deny the offence and are set to appear at Basildon Crown Court on December 22. The trial is due to begin in April.