"Martin wasn't so much jailed for defending his property as for the chasing down and finishing off of the 16 year old from close range aggravated by the fact the gun he had was unlicenced. He was tried and convicted by a jury of peers in a fair trial. The charge was reduced from Muder to Manslaughter on appeal. It's a sad case all round - but simplifying it to 'jailed for defending his property' misses out all the evidence the jury heard, and misses that there is nothing illegal in the UK about defending your property with reasonable force."
If a couple of thugs try to break into my house, I will assume when they run it is to get more thugs and weapons to kill me and mine.
I will chase them down and finish it.
While I understand the sentiment, particularly in the heat of the moment...even in my native Texas, I do not believe you could do so and escape prosecution.
Once it was established that your life and property were no longer in immediate danger...ie. they were off your property and had their southbound backsides pointed to you...then killing them will become a crime unless you can prove the point you made about getting more help to come back with dangerous intent...even then, until they came back, I believe you would have a tough fight.
Just load up and be waiting for them. Double ought buck with a pump or a semi-automatic.