S11E05 | The Murder of Fred Barras (Emneth Hungate, Norfolk, 1999)

In this episode, I tell the story of Fred Barras, a 16-year-old boy killed in Emneth Hungate, Norfolk, on August 20, 1999.

Fred and his friend, 29-year-old Brendon Fearon, were burgling the isolated farmhouse Bleak House when its owner, 54-year-old farmer Tony Martin, caught them in the act and unloaded his shotgun at them. Both men were hit, but only Fred died due to his injuries.

Tony was handed a life sentence in April 2000 after being found guilty of murder. His conviction was later reduced to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility in October 2001 after a successful appeal.

Receiving a retrospective five-year prison sentence, Tony served just over three and was released in August 2003.

Almost a quarter of a century after the shooting at Bleak House, this case remains one of the most divisive in British history.

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Intro music:⁣

David John Brady - 'Throw Down the Gauntlet'⁣

linktr.ee/davidjohnbradymusic⁣

References:⁣

Allison, R., & Farmer, B. (2000, April 22). “I would do the same” claims Martin juror. The Scotsman, 3.

Aston, J. (2000, June 19). Convicted farmer begins fight for freedom. The Scotsman, 6.

Ballistic expert’s claim. (2001, October 17). The Scotsman, 8.

Barber, N. (1999, August 27). Life of petty crime ends at Bleak House farm: SHOT DEAD AT 16. Newark Advertiser, 1–7.

Barrett, D., & Greenhill, S. (2000, April 21). Bleak House murder jury threatened, claims caller. The Scotsman, 10.

Bell, V. (2019, August 17). Tony Martin “felt no remorse” when visiting grave of teen he shot in 1999. Yahoo News UK. Retrieved October 23, 2023, from https://uk.news.yahoo.com/tony-martin-who-shot-teenage-burglar-felt-no-remorse-when-visiting-his-grave-090859391.html

Brown, C. (2004, December 9). Blair preparing law change to allow attacks on burglars. Irish Independent, 12.

Chaytor, R. (1999a, August 24). FARMER ON BREAK-IN MURDER CHARGE. Daily Record, 4.

Chaytor, R. (1999b, August 24). HE WAS A THIEF BUT HE DID NOT NEED TO BE SHOT: Mum’s grief for Fred, 16. Daily Mirror, 4–5.

Chaytor, R., & McGurran, A. (1999, August 23). BLOWN AWAY FOR THIEVING: Fred, 16, killed in shooting at farm. Daily Mirror, 1–7.

Crown Prosecution Service & Association of Chief Police Officers. (2013). Householders and the use of force against intruders. In Crown Prosecution Service. Retrieved October 23, 2023, from https://www.cps.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/publications/householders-2013.pdf

Custody for conspiracy-accused. (1999, October 26). Lynn Advertiser, 2.

Denholm, A. (2000a, April 20). Farmer gets life sentence for killing burglar, 16. The Scotsman, 2.

Denholm, A. (2000b, April 29). Bleak House murder appeal is launched. The Scotsman, 4.

Drury, I. (1999, September 10). Grieving for Fred. Nottingham Evening Post, 9.

Farmer, B., & Darroch, G. (2000, April 11). Farmer told police he would “blow the heads off” thieves. The Scotsman, 2.

FARMER ON MURDER CHARGE DUE IN COURT. (1999, August 24). Birmingham Mail, 2.

Farmer re-released on bail. (1999, September 18). The Scotsman, 2.

Herbert, I. (2001, June 14). Father of youth killed in burglary gets 14 years’. The Independent. Retrieved October 23, 2023, from https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/father-of-youth-killed-in-burglary-gets-14-years-9143349.html

HE’S A GOOD BLOKE: Neighbours back shotgun murder charge farmer. (1999, August 25). Daily Mirror, 7.

Hutchings, E. (2023, July 18). Where is Tony Martin now? The farmer from Channel 4’s The Interrogation. Yahoo News UK. Retrieved October 23, 2023, from https://uk.style.yahoo.com/where-tony-martin-now-farmer-104822497.html

Innes, J. (2002, December 24). Burglar shot by farmer sues for loss of £15,000 earnings. The Scotsman, 4.

Jarvis, M. (1999, September 12). £5,000 HIT CONTRACT ON SHOTGUN FARMER. The People, 23.

Last, M. (1999, August 24). Bleak House farmer charged with murder. Lynn Advertiser, 9.

Man fails to report to police. (1999, September 24). Newark Advertiser, 2.

Martin home from prison. (2003, August 9). Irish Independent, 28.

McGuinness, R. (2018, November 12). Norfolk farmer Tony Martin who killed teen burglar says he would “do the same thing again.”Yahoo News UK. Retrieved October 23, 2023, from https://uk.news.yahoo.com/norfolk-farmer-tony-martin-killed-teen-burglar-says-thing-090234570.html

McGurran, A. (1999a, September 8). I WANT ALL THIS TO END: Farmer’s plea as he is released on bail. Daily Mirror, 16.

McGurran, A. (1999b, September 10). BACK BEHIND BARS:Judge cancels accused farmer’s bail for his own protection. Daily Mirror, 15.

McGurran, A. (1999c, September 20). FARM GUN VICTIM IS CHARGED. Daily Mirror, 16.

McVeigh, K. (2001, October 31). Farmer cleared of murder. The Scotsman, 1.

McVeigh, K., & Oldham, J. (2001, October 31). Jailed farmer murder verdict reduced to manslaughter. The Scotsman, 5.

Men admit burglary plot. (1999, December 9). Aberdeen Press and Journal, 10.

MURDER-CHARGE FARMER REMANDED. (1999, August 25). Fenland Citizen, 1–8.

Percival, J., & Gordon, T. (2000, April 24). Calls for tolerance of people who hit out at burglars. The Scotsman, 2.

Reedman, S. (1999, September 1). Support grows for death charge farmer. Fenland Citizen, 5.

SHOT BOY “LOVEABLE ROGUE.” (1999, August 23). Lincolnshire Echo, 1.

Shot teenager’s uncle faces jail. (1999, October 29). Lincolnshire Echo, 3.

Steele, J. (2004, December 4). Give people right to kill burglars - police chief. Irish Independent, 36.

Support for farmer on murder charge. (1999, August 27). Lynn Advertiser, 2.

TEEN THIEF SHOT DEAD: Boy, 16, from Notts. (1999, August 23). Nottingham Evening Post, 1–5.

Teenager died after being shot in the back, inquest is told. (1999, September 7). Lynn Advertiser, 1.

Thompson, T. (2001, October 16). Burglar death farmer was failed. The Scotsman, 10.

Using reasonable force against intruders. (n.d.). GOV.UK. Retrieved October 23, 2023, from https://www.gov.uk/reasonable-force-against-intruders