Shootings were like a horror film - ( Tony Martin )

The Telegraph - UK ^ | July 30, 2003 | David Sapsted and Graham Tibbets

[UnklGene]

Shootings were like a horror film By David Sapsted and Graham Tibbetts (Filed: 30/07/2003)

Tony Martin described last night how his heart raced and he felt "his body was about to explode" the moment before he shot dead a burglar and wounded another.

The 58-year-old farmer, who says he has been "misunderstood", recalled the fateful shots that killed Fred Barras, 16, and injured his accomplice, Brendon Fearon, after serving two thirds of a five-year prison sentence for manslaughter.

Norfolk police continue their 24-hour vigil at Bleak Farm Mr Martin, who had endured numerous break-ins at his home at Bleak House, Emneth Hungate in Norfolk, said he heard the two intruders and reached for his shotgun.

"I went over to the chair and got a handful of cartridges and loaded the gun. By this time I could feel my heart going boom, boom, boom," he told the Daily Mirror.

"My heart was racing. It was as though my whole body was about to explode - it was like a horror film."

At this point Barras and his accomplice, Fearon, shone a torch in his eyes and he began shooting, said Mr Martin.

"My finger was on the trigger and I fired. I was aware I had shot the gun. At the time I had no idea I had fired more than once."

Mr Martin, who regained his freedom on Monday after his release from Highpoint prison in Suffolk, said he regretted the death of Barras in August 1999 but had no feelings of remorse.

"I don't feel anything about anyone or anything," he said. "That might make me sound like a cold and callous man but I can't help that. I was forced to do what I did because of the circumstances of that night."

He believed the public had failed to appreciate the difficulty of his circumstances in rural Norfolk, where police were unable to prevent repeated break-ins.

"I can't believe how misunderstood I have been," he said. "I have a lot of supporters but there are a lot of people out there who think I am a madman who is only too happy to kill."

Mr Martin insisted he had no intention of killing Barras. "I did kill, but I certainly wasn't happy to do so. I was devastated when I discovered I had killed a boy.

"All I can say is that I didn't mean to do it. I didn't even know I had done it until much later." He added: "Nobody has the right to kill - even to suggest they have is crass and deplorable."

Mr Martin said he warned the police in May 1999 that if burglars broke in again, he would take drastic action. "After the second break-in, I rang the police and said, 'If they come back, I'll shoot them'. The reason I said this - and it was a dangerous thing to say - was because I hoped it would make them protect me; provoke a response, spur them on to do something."

Malcolm Starr, who led the campaign for Mr Martin's freedom, said the farmer was insisting on returning home.

"I spoke to him by telephone late last night," said Mr Starr. "He was in a very good mood. He was mainly concerned about seeing his dog and getting back to his farm."

Police were continuing to maintain a high profile presence outside Mr Martin's farm. "He finds it all very amusing and ironic," said Mr Starr. "He said to me, 'It seems I have got my own police force now.' "

Mr Martin had earlier described the move as "shutting the stable door after the horse had bolted".

Norfolk police defended their decision to site a mobile police station at the entrance to the remote farmhouse. Reports have been continuing to circulate that a £25,000 bounty has been put on Martin's head in revenge for his killing of Barras.

"We are making a proportionate response to the situation we are faced with. Given the situation and the report of threats against Mr Martin, it would be irresponsible if we did not do that," said a police spokesman.

[LibWhacker]

"Nobody has the right to kill - even to suggest they have is crass and deplorable."

Sounds like they totally brainwashed him while he was in prison.

[Yeti]

Sounds like they totally brainwashed him while he was in prison.

A Clockwork Orange.

[LibKill]

Police were continuing to maintain a high profile presence outside Mr Martin's farm. "He finds it all very amusing and ironic," said Mr Starr. "He said to me, 'It seems I have got my own police force now.' "

Seems to me that it would be less costly to give him back his shotgun.

"All I can say is that I didn't mean to do it. I didn't even know I had done it until much later." He added: "Nobody has the right to kill - even to suggest they have is crass and deplorable."

If he said anything else they would probably pull the police out and let the thugs kill him.

[battousai]

"Sounds like they totally brainwashed him while he was in prison."

just like 1984

"how many fingers do you see...."

but then again I think its the whole nation not just the prisoners that have been brainwashed, guess its their too close afinity to 'old europe'

[Argus]

How many Tony Martins would there be in this country if the gun control lobby get their way? England has empowered the criminals and stripped the law-abiding of all means of self-defense. The results are predictable and obvious, but our liberals are determined to impose the same conditions on us.

[kAcknor]

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[redbaiter]

So it's now dangerous in Britian to say you will defend your life and home with deadly force....

In college the professor said there are three kinds of people: those who makes things happen, those who watch things happen, and those who wonder what the hell happened. I now realize I am one who wonders what the hell happened.

[Hugin]

Sounds like they totally brainwashed him while he was in prison.

Having only served 2/3 of his sentance he is probably on parole. Just saying what he has to to stay out of further trouble.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

***Shootings were like a horror film***

STRAW DOGS ?

[cruiserman]

I think he meant no one has the right to murder someone else, not in self defense.