Infamous Norfolk farmer Tony Martin dies aged 80 after years of controversy
Farmer famous for shooting burglar passes away
Tony Martin, the Norfolk farmer who shot dead a burglar in a case that gripped the nation, has died at 80. His close friend Malcolm Starr confirmed the news today, revealing Martin passed away in hospital after suffering a stroke.
1999 shooting sparked national uproar
Martin lived a quiet life at his remote Emneth Hungate farmhouse until that fateful night in 1999. During a break-in, he fired his shotgun three times, killing 16-year-old Fred Barras and wounding 29-year-old Brendon Fearon. The action turned Martin into a household name and ignited fierce debates about self-defense laws and homeowners’ rights.
Originally convicted of murder, Martin’s sentence was cut to manslaughter on appeal after it emerged he had Asperger’s Syndrome – a fact overlooked during his trial. He served three years in prison before being released.
Friend recalls eccentric character and lasting struggles
“Since the incident, it affected him badly,” said Starr. “He’s at peace at last. He’s in a better place now. He lost his mother and two aunts who were very close to him.”
Starr fondly remembered Martin’s quirky side, recalling how he once showed up at his office on a tractor wearing a red beret. “A month later, we heard about the shooting. I said, ‘I hope it’s not Tony.’”
Martin’s Asperger’s made socialising tough. Starr explained, “I don’t think he’s capable of lying. He stuck to his guns and didn’t apologise.”
Legacy of a man who sparked a national debate
Martin’s case changed the conversation on self-defense and legal rights in the UK. After the trauma and media storm, he lived largely in seclusion. His close friend believes he deserved some good publicity in his later years.
Tony Martin’s death closes a controversial chapter in British legal history. He leaves behind a lasting legacy and the complex memories of those who knew the man behind the headlines.
