The barrister shot dead after opening fire on armed officers and neighbouring houses was a struggling alcoholic who fought his addiction for a number of years, friends have told Times Online.

Mark Saunders, 32, was a successful barrister at one of London’s most respected law chambers, but his eight-month marriage to Elizabeth, a fellow lawyer, had begun to fall apart because of his increasingly erratic behaviour and all day drinking binges.

The couple are believed to have been living apart for several months before yesterday’s five-hour armed siege at their luxury townhouse in Chelsea, West London.

One friend said: "He is extremely sensible and sweet, but he had an extremely wild side and could not be tamed.

"He loved her very much but could not contain his greater love of red wine and whisky, and at all times of day."

Mr Saunders was shot dead by police inside the house on Markham Square, just off the King's Road, after a stand-off which began shortly before 5pm when he started shooting into neighbour's houses and at police officers from his window.

Kings Road was closed and a number of shop workers and customers were forced to lock themselves in nearby buildings as the siege unfolded. A police negotiator was called in but shots were heard at the property again after 9pm and officers returned fire.

Colleagues today described their shock at the violent breakdown of a man they considered to be a popular and genial lawyer.

One solicitor who has instructed the barrister on cases, said: "He was always very nice, good fun, an affable cheeky chap. He looked younger than 32 and had a boyish face and boyish charm. He was always at our drinks functions and chatting to everybody.

"He worked mainly on the financial matters of divorce, representing a wife or a husband on separation, and negotiating a settlement. But these were high net-worth individuals: not Joe Bloggs, they are movers and shakers. He also did some domestic violence work and was very good on financial enforcement: tracking money down if someone agrees to do something and doesn't.

"He is very well known in the business, instructed by the top firms and respected. It's a complete shock."

Mr Saunders was a graduate of Christ Church, Oxford, and was called to the Bar in March 1999, since when he had won praise for his advocacy.

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