Bankrupt businessman who blasted solicitor to death with a sawn-off shotgun after losing legal battle found guilty of murder Michael Chudley blamed James Ward for the break-up of his relationship Shot Mr Ward in the head once at close range as he spoke on the telephone The father-of-three suffered head injuries and died three weeks later Chudley will be sentenced tomorrow by trial judge Mr Justice Bean Michael Chudley has been found guilty after shooting a solicitor with a sawn-off shotgun A bankrupt businessman was facing life imprisonment today after being found guilty of shooting a solicitor dead with a sawn-off shotgun. Michael Chudley, 63, blamed James Ward, 58, for the break-up of his relationship and the repossession of his home. He calmly walked into MGW Law in Devizes, Wiltshire in July last year and blasted Mr Ward in the head once at close range as he spoke to a client on the telephone. The force of the blast blew out a window of his first floor town centre office. The father of three, who was known as Jim, suffered catastrophic head injuries and died almost three weeks later in hospital. Chudley denied murder but was convicted following a nine-day trial at Salisbury Crown Court. The jury of seven men and five women took just two hours to reject Chudley's defence of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility and find him unanimously guilty of murder. Earlier, he had pleaded guilty to carrying an offensive weapon with intent to commit an indictable offence, possessing the gun with intent to cause unlawful violence towards receptionist Daphne Courtney and threatening to kill Mrs Courtney with it. Chudley will be sentenced tomorrow by trial judge Mr Justice Bean. Chudley showed no reaction when the jury foreman returned the guilty verdict, while members of Mr Ward's family, including his wife, wiped away tears as they sat in the public gallery. During the trial, the court heard that when the armed Chudley marched into the solicitors" office on the afternoon of July 2 and threatened to shoot the receptionist, Mr Ward's wife, Nicola Morris, a partner in the firm, ran to a neighbouring shop to get help. Michael Chudley blamed Mr Ward for the break-up of his relationship and the repossession of his house Ms Morris heard the gunshot and a shattering of glass and watched as Chudley fled the office in drove off in his Ford Fiesta. The property developer was arrested 30 minutes later by armed police at his former home in the nearby village of Rowde and confessed: 'I shot him because he made our lives a misery.' He told police he had planned to shoot himself in a bedroom of the house but gave up when he could not gain entry and waited for them to arrive. After the Kingfisher House was repossessed, Chudley had either been renting rooms in local pubs or sleeping in his car. Mr Ward was in his solicitor's office when Mr Chudley shot him with the sawn-off shotgun He had lost his home and his business after becoming embroiled in a long-running legal dispute over building work.The man he unsuccessfully sued, Christopher Sear, had instructed Mr Ward. Prosecutors said Chudley acted out of revenge, anger and resentment. William Mousley QC, prosecuting, told jurors: 'At the time of the shooting his actions were planned, pre-meditated and he continued to act in such a way after the shooting - even explaining to officers why he shot James Ward. The case centred on whether Chudley was suffering from an abnormality of mental function at the time he killed Mr Ward. Jurors heard evidence from two psychiatrists who both agreed that he suffers from a paranoid personality disorder. Dr Andrew Johns, called by the defence, said that Chudley's condition represented an abnormality of mental function meaning he would not have been responsible for his actions when he shot Mr Ward. However, Dr John Sandford, for the prosecution, disagreed with Dr Johns" view and said he could not find any psychiatric evidence of any abnormality of mental function. Detective Chief Inspector Ian Saunders, of Wiltshire Police, said after the verdict: 'Jim Ward was a family man and a successful, respected solicitor. He was representing a client who was involved in a protracted legal dispute with Chudley regarding building work. Chudley has a history of being an angry, paranoid, litigious man and when he lost the case he blamed Jim Ward. 'He didn't get what he wanted and decided to get revenge. The solicitor's office in Devizes, Wiltshire, where James Ward was shot in the head by banker Chudley The Ford Fiesta used by Michael Chudley on the day of the shooting. He was arrested just 30 minutes after the incident 'Shortly before 3pm on July 2 2012 he walked into the MGW Law building in Devizes with a sawn off shotgun and threatened to shoot the terrified secretary if she didn't take him to Jim. 'He entered Jim's office, aimed and shot him in the head. He then calmly walked out to his car. 'Jim's wife, Nicky, was in the building at the time and the utter fear and distress that she and the other members of staff suffered is unimaginable. 'They were faced with a cold, calm gun man and a battle to save Jim's life. Members of the public and an off duty paramedic rushed to assist and give first aid. Meanwhile, Chudley had driven to Kingfisher House. He was sat on a wall with the gun when he was arrested a short time later. 'He told officers he had planned to shoot Jim and then kill himself but couldn't bring himself to carry out the final part of his plan. Jim Ward sadly died in hospital a few weeks later despite the best efforts of the medical team. Michael Chudley at his house in Wiltshire. The banker threatened to shoot the terrified Ms Morris before turning on Ward Although Mr Chudley insists he has no memory of the incident, this has been discredited by psychiatrists Chudley has shown no remorse and by his own admission does not know the meaning of the word. He admitted manslaughter by diminished responsibility on day one of the trial as a result of a paranoid personality disorder. He insists that he has no memory of the shooting, however this has been discredited by a forensic psychiatrist. On the final day of the trial he pleaded guilty to three additional counts involving the firearm and threatening to kill the secretary, Daphne Courtney. Having heard all of the evidence presented, the jury has found that Chudley intended to murder or do serious harm to Jim Ward. 'Anger, resentment and revenge fuelled Chudley's actions that day and the consequences have changed the lives of Jim's family forever. I would like to thank my team, colleagues at the Crown Prosecution Service and to commend the family of Jim Ward for their dignity throughout this difficult time. Speaking outside court, Ms Morris, who was supported by her family, said: 'Jim's family have always known that no verdict could ever bring him back. However, we are reassured by the judgment today that says the justice system in this country works well. Jim was a kind, honest man and a most wonderful loving husband and father. He was an exceptional person and will forever be in our thoughts.