Funeral of Tony Martin, Norfolk farmer who had murder conviction overturned, to take place today
Tony Martin's case made headlines around the world
Last updated 25th Feb 2025
The friends and family of a Norfolk farmer - who was convicted of murder after shooting an intruder in his home - will gather for his funeral today.
In 1999, Tony Martin's case sparked a national debate about the measures homeowners can take to defend their property.
The 80-year-old died earlier this month, after reportedly suffering a stroke.
He was originally convicted of murdering 16 year old Fred Barras in 1999.
He was living alone at his farmhouse in Emneth Hungate, Norfolk, which was nicknamed Bleak House, when he caught Brendon Fearon, then 29, and Barras inside.
Mr Martin fired his shotgun three times towards the intruders, killing Barras and injuring Fearon.
He was initially jailed for nine years for murder in 2000, but then was released three years later following a successful appeal which reduced his conviction to manslaughter.
Tony Martin's case led to a national debate about how far people should be allowed to go to defend their homes and he became a cause celebre for campaigners.
"Deserves a light up on him"
His friend, Malcolm Starr said Martin "deserves a light up on him", adding that he initially found him to be "very eccentric".
He told the PA news agency: "I think his honesty got him incarcerated because he couldn't lie.
"Because if you go in that situation, you do everything you could probably to get out of it and say, this happened and they attacked me or something like that.
"But what I'm saying is he's really a very straight guy from that point of view."
Mr Starr, who handled Martin's relations with the media, added: "I still maintain, how do you know how anyone would react until you're faced with it?
"I don't think you can predict how you'd act if someone came into your property."
Martin told PA in 2013 that he had once again confronted a burglar at the property.
He said he caught the would-be burglar while checking on an outbuilding. They drove off when confronted and Martin decided not to attempt to stop him, saying: "I couldn't face going through all that again."
Martin said at the time: "I haven't changed my views about what happened in 1999, but the whole experience has made me lose faith in the system and I didn't want to be made out as the criminal again."
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