FARMER Tony Martin left prison yesterday — and one of the burglars he shot will walk

[Master Blaster]

Sick joke
Martin AND shot
burglar freed


Out of jail ... Tony Martin

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• Sun Says



By JOHN TROUP
and JOHN KAY


FARMER Tony Martin left prison yesterday — and one of the burglars he shot will walk free TODAY.

Mr Martin, 58, was taken to a police station ahead of his official release on Monday.

Brendon Fearon — who is suing Mr Martin over his injuries — is being freed after serving less than a third of an 18-month sentence for heroin dealing.

The timing of his release was branded an outrage by friends and supporters of the farmer.

And Mr Martin’s solicitor James Saunders said last night: “This is astonishing. Surely they could have picked a better time to release this man.



Cocky crook ... Fearon served 5½
months of 18-month term


“The irony of this emphasises just how wrong it was to make Tony serve his entire sentence because he is honest enough to say he could not rule out defending himself in the future.

“Fearon, on the other hand, has made all sorts of promises, then broken the law time and time again.


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This is astonishing. Surely they could have picked a better time to release this man.

Tony Martin's lawyer last night

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“It’s awful when decent people are treated worse than career criminals.â€

Fearon, 33, was shot and wounded by Mr Martin while raiding his home in Emneth Hungate, Norfolk.

He is now suing Mr Martin for loss of earnings, despite never having done an honest day’s work in his life. Fearon was jailed for 18 months for heroin dealing on February 6, but is being let out already from Ranby Prison, Notts.

He will be fitted with an electronic tag and must stay indoors from 7pm to 7am each day.


Senior prison sources confirmed his release. One said: “It is a total coincidence that he is being released at the same time as Tony Martin.

“The Prison Service has no control over dates — and we’d hardly want to stage-manage a joint release like this.â€

Mr Martin will be officially released on Monday after being given a controversial five-year sentence for the manslaughter of burglar Fred Barras, 16.

Friends of Barras are understood to have put a price on the farmer’s head.


But he has told pals he is determined to return home despite by the threats.

Police spent yesterday frantically fitting CCTV cameras, security lights and a burglar alarm to Mr Martin’s house.

Officers using large sticks also checked undergrowth around his farm for booby traps and explosive devices.

Mr Martin’s MP Henry Bellingham confirmed he had left jail yesterday. Home Office sources said he would have been taken to a police station cell.


SUPPORTERS are selling £5 badges bearing a gun logo and the words “Tony Martin Security Services†to help him fight the legal action by Fearon.

Sun readers have donated more than £92,000 to Mr Martin’s defence fund.

 

[Kharn]

Friends of Barras are understood to have put a price on the farmer’s head.

Agricola has previously stated that targets of the IRA are issued a handgun by the government. Does Mr. Martin stand a chance of being issued one, since he's in the same situation but with a different aggressor?

Kharn

 

[agricola]

kharn,

probably not - given that the IRA threats were definable rather than tabloid tittle-tattle.

 

[hammer4nc]

Police spent yesterday frantically fitting CCTV cameras, security lights and a burglar alarm to Mr Martin’s house.

Officers using large sticks also checked undergrowth around his farm for booby traps and explosive devices.

Will someone please explain this? Was part of his release contingent on agreeing to have state-owned TV cameras/security systems monitoring his private property? Given the obvious bias the court has shown against Mr. Martin (and for the burglar profession), having 24/7 CCTV monitored by the local prosecutor is the last thing I'd want.

I think Mr. Martin is about to be made an example of; he'll probably be nicked for speaking loudly, and intimidating some of Mr. Fearon's buddies who come to welcome him home.

Fair warning to those not properly humble before the crown.

 

[Master Blaster]

Obviously the Crown has recognized a viable threat to Mr. Martin, thats why they are installing a burglar alarm cameras etc. So since the Govt believes the threat is real, when will Agricola's superiors issue Mr Martin a proper side by side so he can defend himself?

As to the IRA threats, did they have a billboard called the IRA official hit list on which they published the names of those to whom the gvt would "issue a handgun"?

Very civilized and sporting of the IRA huh?

 

[agricola]

master,

er.... no. The IRA used to have lists and other detailed instructions of people (members of the military, RUC officers, builders, joiners, plumbers, non-Catholics etc) its cells were planning to hit, when the evil redcoats raided the "freedom fighters'" hideouts, they recovered these lists (as well as money, guns and explosives funded by something called NORAID....). Those who were at risk were permitted to own handguns for their own defence from what was a real threat, not one dreamt up by the Sun, which as we all know is a toilet of a rag of a newspaper.

IMHO the state shouldnt subsidize his CCTV and alarm system, they wouldnt do it for any other convicted killer so I dont see why he should get any benefit. As for his ownership of a firearm, after the evidence introduced by the defence at his appeal, I wouldnt trust the man with a stapler; to say nothing of the fact that he has precisely 0% chance of getting a firearms licence.

 

[HankB]

Police spent yesterday frantically fitting CCTV cameras, security lights and a burglar alarm to Mr Martin’s house

Obviously the Crown has recognized a viable threat to Mr. Martin

This is Britain. Rather than protecting twice-victimized Mr. Martin, perhaps the security is meant to provide for the safety of future burglars.

 

[seeker_two]

Police spent yesterday frantically fitting CCTV cameras, security lights and a burglar alarm to Mr Martin’s house

They're just waiting for Martin to give them another "easy" conviction when Fearon & his buddies show up. (Certainly you didn't think it was for Martin's protection, did you?... )

As for his ownership of a firearm, after the evidence introduced by the defence at his appeal, I wouldnt trust the man with a stapler; to say nothing of the fact that he has precisely 0% chance of getting a firearms licence.

agricola: Seems like he did pretty well with that shotgun... But I wouldn't want you to feel less safe as you go about your daily business (What was it that you do, again?... )

 

[Jim March]

The Limey gov't realizes that if Martin is killed by those brats, it vindicates his original position and the outrage might be enough to cause a shift in gun laws.

Possibly all the way up to shall-issue CCW.

 

[Zedicus]

HankB: This is Britain. Rather than protecting twice-victimized Mr. Martin, perhaps the security is meant to provide for the safety of future burglars.

Probably....
Or it could be to Try and catch him doing anything they can use to put him back in prison.......

The Limey gov't realizes that if Martin is killed by those brats, it vindicates his original position and the outrage might be enough to cause a shift in gun laws.

Possibly all the way up to shall-issue CCW.

Another High Possabillity....

 

[Gray Peterson]

The Limey gov't realizes that if Martin is killed by those brats, it vindicates his original position and the outrage might be enough to cause a shift in gun laws.

Possibly all the way up to shall-issue CCW.

We can only dream, Jim, but I doubt it. The UK is just too far gone on the anti-gun path....

 

[rrader]

Sun readers have donated more than £92,000 to Mr Martin’s defence fund

That is a very hopefull sign. Some portion of the British people still have at least a vestigial memory of justice even if the government doesn't.

As for the British government; what a low and retrograde legal system they have. More akin to some African hell-hole or a S. American banana republic than a western nation. Sad to see them degenerate to this level.

 

[Byron Quick]

But self defense is legal in Britain...agricola said so!


agricola, could you provide references for someone who defended themselves with violence against a violent, unprovoked assault in Britain that the police didn't arrest for doing so? Lately? Not ten or twenty years back. Where the criminal was (gasp) actually seriously injured?

Does the Home Office have plans yet for legislation banning running away from a robber, rapist, murderer or thief? Poor guy might have a coronary chasing his dastardly victim, you know. Britain must be progressive.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Rarely does a day pass when I fail to feel grateful to our forefathers for having rebelled against the English and founded a republic.

An Englishman's home was his castle; now it's whatever any burglar or rapist decides it ought to be.

 

[Byron Quick]

We know, SW, we know

 

[TamThompson]

Couldn't the poor, beleaugered Mr. Martin just move to Texas?
Right, right...a person has a right to not be run out of their homeland by crime, and they should fight back. But FIVE YEARS? Unbelieveable.

 

[agricola]

byron,

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/2660021.stm
http://archives.tcm.ie/breakingnews/2003/01/17/story84621.asp

ferguson was never arrested, but the perp did make a complaint of assault against him, which was found to be baseless. other incidents happen all the time, unfortunately not involving as newsworthy a person. Unfortunately the Police and criminal justice system over here, like Justice herself, must take each allegation on its merits and act accordingly. One does not lose ones rights by ones actions.

jim,

er... no. your argument suggests that we are going to turn our hands up and say "you know old bean, we should ignore this whole British thing and just become americans" in the event of Martin being done in.

all,

Still, I guess while you all are basing the whole "Britain is hell" thing on the Martin case and your own clearly identifiable biases, I guess its understandable. One shouldnt try reasoned debate on the issue because these threads always degenerate into nonsense.

 

[Baba Louie]

agricola,

you state:

As for his ownership of a firearm, after the evidence introduced by the defence at his appeal, I wouldnt trust the man with a stapler; to say nothing of the fact that he has precisely 0% chance of getting a firearms licence.

If you were put in the position of being released from a prison spell and the word was out that the heroin pusher and/or his buddies were out to "get even", and you, now having a criminal record and having, as you state, "0% of getting a firearms licence" (sic), would you think that owning an illegal firearm might just keep you alive for another day?

I mean, you are now a criminal or parolee or whatever, lived in the pen for a bit, obviously don't like burglars breaking in and stealing your stuff to keep their heroin habit alive, and know that your government is doing all they can (CCTV, alarm system) to keep you safe from the other nasty criminal types... Its obviously a rhetorical question and I simply wonder what YOU (or I) would/should do in the event of home invasion by heroin loving fun-boys out for a romp in the evening. I guess you'd tackle the man/men as Mr. Ferguson did. How old is Mr. Martin? How old is Mr. Ferg? How old are the surviving heroin boys? How old are you? Me, I'm 48 and not as young or spry as I once was...

Illegal firearms are probably available to a criminal type who wants one... and since it appears you feel that Martin is a criminal type... Could you point me to a link that indicates all of the damning evidence against Martin (I must be dense if it was posted herein before and missed it) which would negate any trust you have in him owning a stapling device? I am a bit obtuse at times.

It is an interesting coincidence that both men are released at about the same time, neh? Any chances of them bumping into each other at the Pub or market... or in Mr. Martin's house for a friendly chat? Survival of the fittest and all, eh what? Let the best man last standing win and then lock him up, again.

I would appreciate any link that has THE evidence that forms the basis of your opinion, tho. It may be that my/our take on this is all wrong. Then again, it may be a cultural thing.

Enquiring minds want to know. Well, at least I do.

Adios

 

[MicroBalrog]

Agricola has previously stated that targets of the IRA are issued a handgun by the government

Yes, but only in Northern Ireland. According to Steven Kendrick, the permits aren't valid in the UK, neither are such permits issued there.

 

[LawDog]

agricola, could you provide references for someone who defended themselves with violence against a violent, unprovoked assault in Britain that the police didn't arrest for doing so? Lately? Not ten or twenty years back. Where the criminal was (gasp) actually seriously injured?

Agricola, I don't see anything in the links you posted mentioning that the burglar(s) were seriously injured.

Byron has piqued my curiosity. Will someone come up with a verifiable news story out of Britannia where a victim of an attempted violent crime fought back against the criminal with the result that the criminal was killed or seriously injured and the original victim was not prosecuted by Crown authorities?

Now, to avoid misunderstanding, when I say "seriously injured" I don't mean "restrained", and I don't mean "held down until police arrived."

When I say "seriously injured" I'm referring to stab wounds, broken bones, concussions, gun shot wounds, and/or damaged organs.

You know, the type of injuries that result when you are fighting for your life.

LawDog

 

[Don Gwinn]

Tam, that does sound like a more profitable use of 92,000 pounds. He wouldn't have to go even that far. I hear Finland and Norway are holding the line pretty well.
Then again, the food and music are better in Texas.

 

[rrader]

Agricola:

...they recovered these lists (as well as money, guns and explosives funded by something called NORAID....).

Contributions to NORAID were used exclusively for the benefit of the families of the Irish political detainees, many held without trial, in British prisons. For example, the family of Paul Hill, one of the “Guildford Four†falsely convicted (in the low and retrograde British legal system) of the 1975 Guildford Bombing.

No credible evidence exists that any NORAID money went to purchase weapons or explosives.

Looks like they're still in business:

http://inac.org/

 

[CZ-75]

Should've been a better shot, then the burglar wouldn't be walking anywhere.

 

[agricola]

lawdog,

the perp Ferguson detained was put in hospital for three days, I'd class that as "pretty serious".

 

[HBK]

I personally think Martin should've killed the guy. I really don't understand your position on this, agricola. Am I missing something? I really believe people should be able to defend themselves and their property. I can't understand any condition to the contrary. Care to enlighten me?