A RISING boxing star made a successful return to the ring on Saturday...just four months after being shot.

Martin Ward, 22, stopped Ben Wager in the sixth round of their Lightweight bout in London’s Excel Arena.

Yet his fight came just under four months after he was shot along with his brother at Lizvale Farm in Goatswood Lane, Navestock, on August 27 following a “neighbour dispute”.

Despite receiving wounds to leg and chest, Ward left hospital a few days later and restarted training shortly afterwards.

After the contest at the weekend, Ward who turned pro last year tweeted a thank you message to his supporters.

He said: “Thanks to everyone for all the messages and support! Great scrap tonight against a strong boy stopped him in the last round! Thanks everyone.”

Francis O’Donoghue was arrested on October 11 in Southgate, north London, following a seven week long manhunt led by Essex Police.

The 27-year-old window fitter was charged with two counts of attempted murder and one count of being in possession of a Class B drug.

He has been remanded in custody is due to appear at Basildon Crown Court for a hearing on December 30.

Two women - a 41-year-old from north London and a 23-year-old woman, from Essex - were both arrested on Monday in connection with assisting an offender after the shooting.

Police woudn’t say where on Essex the woman lived for “operational reasons”.

Both have been bailed until January 30 pending further enquiries.