Man shot as he fought intruders

Police are investigating at the scene of the shooting

A man was shot in the head as he challenged armed intruders in the garden at his home.

Peter Stephenson suffered minor injuries in the incident on Tuesday night in Kepwick, near Thirsk, North Yorkshire.

The men - two white and one black - escaped in a car they had stolen from a woman who was visiting the house at the time.

Mr Stephenson was taken to the Friarage Hospital, in Northallerton, where he was being treated on Wednesday.

Second gunshot

The incident began when Mr Stephenson, who was walking in the garden with a friend, saw the intruders and went to challenge them.

One of the men produced a shotgun and fired, but no one was hit.

Mr Stephenson was then hit in the head after the gun went off a second time as he grappled with one of the intruders.

The gang then escaped in the woman's silver Peugeot 206, registration W783 WAJ, in the direction of the A19.

Detective Inspector Debbie Matthews, of North Yorkshire Police, said the victim and his female friend had been terrified by the incident.

She said investigators were still at the scene on Wednesday and are appealing for anyone with information to contact them.