Soldier shooting 'linked to drugs'

Robert Fairbairn is under police guard in hospital

Police say the shooting of a soldier on Teesside may be drugs related.

Robert Fairbairn is under police guard in hospital after he was shot by two masked gunmen in Thornaby.

Mr Fairbairn was at his girlfriend's house in Princess Square, Thornaby, when the attack took place.

Mr Fairbairn is in a stable condition at the University Hospital of North Tees with gunshot wounds to his legs.

'Well planned'

Acting Detective Inspector Mark Robson said police were hunting the two masked men and a third person, believed to be a woman, who was driving the 4x4 vehicle used to get away.

Mr Fairbairn, who police say is officially listed as being in the Army, was attacked at 0930 BST on Saturday.

Mr Robson said: "These people knew Mr Fairbairn and this was a well planned incident.

"There is possibly a drugs connection and we are working on that.

"Possibly there could be a dispute between him and other people in Thornaby."