Farmer ‘right’ to shoot burglar

A JUDGE AT Derby Crown Court has said that “noboby could criticise” a farmer who shot and injured a burglar at his farm in August, the Daily Mail reports.

The farmer, 73-year-old Kenneth Faulkner of Ockbrook, Derbyshire, shot 22-year-old John Rae when Mr Rae for the third time in days targeted his farm.

The case is reminiscent of that of Norfolk farmer Tony Martin, who was jailed for life and then had his sentence reduced to five years for manslaughter after shooting and killing a 16-year burglar in 1999.

But no charges were brought against Mr Faulkner.

During the first raid at the farm, Mr Rae and two other men had stolen five shotguns, a longbow, arrows and a crossbow from a gun cabinet.

The third time Mr Rae targeted the farm, Mr Faulkner thus had reason to believe that the burglar was armed.

Michael Auty, prosecuting, told the court that even though Mr Rae was injured, Mr Faulkner‘s intention was only to frighten him away, according to the Daily Mail.

Mr Auty said the “primary reason” for the Crown Prosecution Service‘s decision not to bring charges against Mr Faulker was that Mr Rae only had pellet wounds to his lower leg.

Judge Andrew Hamilton said the decision had been a right one.

“Nobody could criticize that man. He was in an isolated environment. He was definding his property,” he said.

Mr Rae was jailed for seven years after admitting to dozens of burglaries.