Norfolk farmer gets life for murder
19 April 2000
Norfolk farmer gets life for murder
By FWi staff
TONY MARTIN, the Norfolk farmer who shot dead a teenage burglar, has been sentenced to life imprisonment after being found guilty of murder.
The jury at Norwich Crown Court found Mr Martin guilty of murdering 16-year-old Fred Barras by a 10-2 majority.
Mr Martin was also found guilty of wounding Mr Barrass accomplice, Brendan Fearon, during a break-in at his Emneth farm last August.
Earlier, the jury unanimously cleared Mr Martin of attempting to murder Mr Fearon and of possessing a firearm with intent at his farmhouse.
The jury of six men and six women had deliberated for nine-and-a-half hours after the judge had told them he would accept majority verdicts.
Mr Martins defence had argued that the 55-year-old farmer had acted in self-defence. His farm is now under 24-hour guard.