FORMER prison officer Graham Vranch today hit out at the prison sentence handed to his neighbour who tried to murder him.

Mr Vranch, 62, of Weston, Portland, told how he was deeply disappointed at the seven-year jail sentence given to Edwin Gene Hoskins at Salisbury Crown Court.

Judge Keith Cutler sentenced former prison worker Hoskins after a jury found him guilty of attempting to murder Mr Vranch with a 12-bore shotgun in February of this year.

But Mr Vranch, who had known Hoskins for 34 years, said that the sentence should have been longer and that he may move his family from Portland for fear of Hoskins after his release.

He said: "I am deeply disappointed.

"The jury did their job but the sentence let us down.

"It shows what a life is worth. I should be dead. To try and take a life and then get seven years, it is not enough.

"I wanted him to get a life sentence."

Mr Vranch, who was accompanied by wife Janice, daughter Lisa, and his father and uncle, added: "He lives next door and will be out after serving two thirds of his sentence.

"We will probably have to move home when we have done nothing wrong."

Hoskins, who lived alone at Blacknor - 70 yards from the Vranch family - for 26 years, was found guilty of attempted murder in July but the sentencing was adjourned until psychiatric reports had been drawn up.

Hoskins, a former instructor at the Young Offender Institution and the Verne Prison, invited Vranch over to his home on the pretext of discussing a property wrangle before shouting: "Don't move you bastard, you're dead" and blasting him with the shotgun.

Mr Vranch was hit by 12 pellets but escaped serious injury by reaching forward and twisting his body so the shot missed his vital organs.

The pair had bought batteries at the disused Blacknor Fort in 1978 and converted them into homes but also agreed to give each other first refusal on any sales. It was after Mr Vranch exercised his right that Hoskins tried to kill him after a dispute over the price.

Judge Cutler heard how Hoskins suffered poor health, was depressed, lonely and prepared to die in prison but did not still fully accept the jury's verdict.

Judge Cutler said: "On that day you had murder in mind when you invited Mr Vranch to your house. You had a loaded shotgun hidden from the view of Mr Vranch but within your reach."

He added: "Your actions were very violent, seriously wicked and pre-meditated."

Mr Vranch said the ordeal had affected his family and that his four-year-old granddaughter was worried about Hoskins shooting her and her family.

He added: "I hate what he has done to my family.

"My granddaughter shouldn't have to deal with all this."