Millionaire businessman Timothy Mardon was shot in his mansion because he was mistaken for a drug dealer, a court heard.

“I don’t deal weed. I work for an insurance company,” Mr Mardon told the gunman as he lay bleeding from a leg wound, Chelmsford Crown Court was told.

The British press reported how the father of two — division president at Chubb Tempest Re Bermuda — had barricaded himself in after hearing intruders in his Grade II-listed home in the village of Sible Hedingham, Essex, on February 6.

The BBC reported that the victim whispered to a 999 operator that burglars were in his mansion moments before he was shot through a locked door.

Three men broke into the home, the report says; one denies attempted murder and aggravated burglary, and two others have denied aggravated burglary.

Mr Mardon, who is in his forties and moved to Bermuda from London in 1996, told the court he was home alone when he awoke to the sound of voices and footsteps on his gravel drive, according to the BBC report.

A man could be seen trying to force open a sash window, he said. Mr Mardon had called 999, and was still on the line to the police when he was shot, the court was told. The victim was shot after burglars broke into the house in Sible Hedingham — they fled empty-handed.

A recording of the call, which lasted almost 35 minutes, was played to the jury.

“Suddenly there was a loud explosion,” said Mr Mardon, giving evidence. “I was thrown to the ground and the door burst open and the individual with the stocking over his head burst into the room wielding a gun.”

The court heard the gunman scream at him: “Where’s the weed money?”

With blood pouring from the leg wound Mr Mardon replied that he does not deal weed and works for an insurance company.

Mr Mardon said the intruder threatened to kill his family if he was lying.

Charlie Simms, 23 from Great Yeldham, and Kalebh Shreeve, 24, and Christopher Bergin, 27, both from Sible Hedingham, deny charges of aggravated burglary, wounding with intent, possessing a firearm, and possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life.

Mr Simms also denies attempted murder.

The trial continues.

• It is The Royal Gazette’s policy not to allow comments on stories regarding criminal court cases. As we are legally liable for any slanderous or defamatory comments made on our website, this move is for our protection as well as that of our readers.