BERMUDIAN Aaron Hooper was shot in the back several times as he tried to fight off masked intruders in his own home in the UK.

It was the second time in the last four years that Mr. Hooper's life had been put in danger by a violent attack - he was stabbed in the stomach at a reggae concert in St. David's in 1999.

The shooting incident happened at the 22-year-old victim's apartment in Milnsbridge, near Huddersfield, West Yorkshire two-and-a-half weeks ago.

Mr. Hooper was treated for serious injuries at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary, but has since been released.

Detective Sergeant Derek Hey, of Huddersfield Police, did not release the name of the victim, but sources revealed to the Mid-Ocean News that it was Mr. Hooper. Det. Sgt. Hey said the victim's father had been in England yesterday and the two were planning to fly home to Bermuda as soon as possible.

He added that no arrests had been made in connection with the attack. The assailants were described as Asian men. One was 5ft 6in tall and the other was 6ft 5in.

Mr. Hooper answered a knock at the door of his first-floor flat at around 8.10 p.m. on January 27 and was confronted by two men, who forced their way in, said a police spokesman.

Mr. Hooper struggled with the smaller of the two intruders, then heard several shots and felt pain in his back. The two intruders then ran away.

The taller man was believed to have been carrying the handgun. Both men wore balaclavas and dark-coloured clothing.

Det. Sgt. Hey said: "This attack was very serious. It was not a normal, run-of-the-mill incident."

He added that inquiries were ongoing and that police believed robbery was the motive.

The attack happened in a flat above a parade of shops in Market Street, Milnsbridge, a busy route for vehicles at day and night.

The unfortunate Mr. Hooper required surgery at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital after he was robbed and stabbed in the stomach during a reggae concert at St. David's Cricket Club in July, 1999.

David Jahwell Cox was sent to jail for three years after a jury convicted him of robbing Mr. Hooper. At his trial Bean had pleaded guilty to stabbing Mr. Hooper during the same incident.

Mr. Hooper and some of his friends were surrounded by Cox and four or five others, including Bean at the concert. During a struggle, Cox removed a ring from Mr. Hooper's finger.

Mr. Hooper escaped through the crowd but was chased and stabbed in the stomach. He had to be taken to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital where he received surgery.

Efforts to contact Mr. Hooper in England yesterday were not successful.