DETECTIVES are hunting a gang who robbed a West Wellow goldsmith in his home.

The Advertiser understands that Lionel Pepper was tied up and badly beaten in the raid. It is also thought that the robbers stripped Mr Pepper in a bid to get him to tell them where cash and jewellery was kept.

A blood-covered Mr Pepper raised the alarm by banging on a neighbour’s door.

Mr Pepper, who operates his internet-based business from his home, needed hospital treatment after his ordeal.

Last September, his car was broken into on his driveway and thieves got away with £100,000 of gold rings and gems in display boxes.

His website, Amulet, specialises in selling wedding rings.

Neighbour, Mike Ford, said residents cannot believe what has happened.

He said: “Everyone is talking about it and we are all shell-shocked. This is normally a quite village on the edge of the New Forest. There wasn’t any serious crime here until he had his jewellery stolen several months ago.

“I learned what happened the next morning, when a friend called by after discovering the road was cordoned off by the police.

The following day, the police did a leaflet drop appealing for witnesses and made house-to-house enquiries. Mr Pepper’s house is still cordoned off.

Police confirmed that the incident had taken place and that inquires were ongoing.

Anyone with information about the incident which happened at about 6pm on Wednesday, February 3, is asked to contact Andover CID, on 101.