TWO men admitted helping a gunman flee the scene of a gangland-style doorstep shooting.

Businessman Douglas Turner, 52, was shot in the arm and stomach and lost three fingers after he was blasted with a shotgun at his home off Stock Road, Stock.

Yesterday at Chelmsford Crown Court, Wayne Perry and Jason Steele admitted helping his suspected would-be killer 22-year-old Daniel Smith escape the scene.

Married Mr Turner, who owns the Kings Head industrial estate next to his home, Kings Head Farm, was at home when three men called.

He went to the front gates to speak with them and a row broke out. One of the gang – police allege it was Billericay builder Smith – then blasted Mr Turner with a shotgun.

The shooting, on July 7 last year, is thought to be linked to an argument at a Billericay pub earlier the same evening.

Detectives at the time said Mr Turner was the victim of mistaken identity.

Police say the gunmen had targeted the right house, but refused to say who was the intended target of the botched hit.

Perry, 44 from Brackendale Road, Bill-ericay, and Steele, 38, of Celadine Close, Billericay, both admitted assisting an offender.

The case was adjourned for reports and the pair will return in August for sentence.

Judge Rodger Hayward Smith told them to expect jail sentences.

Smith is believed to be on the run in Spain. The court heard police had issued a European Arrest Warrant for him.