Philobeado
Gold Member
Tony Martin: Crime and controversy
Martin killed a burglar and sparked fierce national debate
Farmer Tony Martin became a focus of huge national debate after shooting dead a teenager who was burgling his home.
The incident ignited a furore in Britain over issues such as rural crime and the rights to defend property.
Many vigorously supported the then 54-year-old, but others dismissed him as a violent eccentric who chose to act as a vigilante.
The case continues to attract controversy, with the ongoing attempts of Brendon Fearon, an accomplice of the teenage burglar, to sue Martin for injuries sustained during the incident.
The episode began in August 1999 when 16-year-old Fred Barras, and 33-year-old Fearon, broke into Martin's remote, semi-derelict farmhouse in Emneth Hungate, Norfolk.
Martin's farm was extremely remote and had been burgled many times
Martin, who was in the house at the time, opened fire with an illegally-held pump-action shotgun.
Barras was shot in the back and died at the scene, while Fearon was shot in the leg and recovered after treatment in hospital.
Three days later, Martin was taken into police custody and charged with murder and wounding with intent.
The case caused an immediate furore, with local supporters protesting outside the remand hearing.
It became apparent that Martin's orchard farm and home, called Bleak House, had been plagued by crime for years
BBC NEWS | UK | England | Norfolk | Tony Martin: Crime and controversy
Martin killed a burglar and sparked fierce national debate
Farmer Tony Martin became a focus of huge national debate after shooting dead a teenager who was burgling his home.
The incident ignited a furore in Britain over issues such as rural crime and the rights to defend property.
Many vigorously supported the then 54-year-old, but others dismissed him as a violent eccentric who chose to act as a vigilante.
The case continues to attract controversy, with the ongoing attempts of Brendon Fearon, an accomplice of the teenage burglar, to sue Martin for injuries sustained during the incident.
The episode began in August 1999 when 16-year-old Fred Barras, and 33-year-old Fearon, broke into Martin's remote, semi-derelict farmhouse in Emneth Hungate, Norfolk.
Martin's farm was extremely remote and had been burgled many times
Martin, who was in the house at the time, opened fire with an illegally-held pump-action shotgun.
Barras was shot in the back and died at the scene, while Fearon was shot in the leg and recovered after treatment in hospital.
Three days later, Martin was taken into police custody and charged with murder and wounding with intent.
The case caused an immediate furore, with local supporters protesting outside the remand hearing.
It became apparent that Martin's orchard farm and home, called Bleak House, had been plagued by crime for years
BBC NEWS | UK | England | Norfolk | Tony Martin: Crime and controversy