Farmer Tony Martin arrested over ‘illegal’ firearm
Police search Tony Martin's property after he is arrested on suspicion of firearms offences. © Terry Harris/REX Shutterstock Police enquiries are continuing after Norfolk farmer Tony Martin – jailed more than 15 years ago after a fatal shooting – was arrested on suspicion of possessing an illegal firearm.
Mr Martin, 71, was arrested in the Wisbech area of Cambridgeshire in connection with a planned police operation at a property in Emneth Hungate, Norfolk.
Officers were called to the address on Thursday, 31 December.
See also: Norfolk farmer recalls shooting teenage burglar
Police finished their search of the property later the same day. Mr Martin was released on police bail pending further enquiries.
A police spokesman said: “The man, who was arrested on suspicion of possession of an illegal firearm, has been released on police bail until late February 2016.”
Mr Martin was jailed for shooting dead teenage burglar Fred Barras in 1999 – one of two men who had broken into his home.
The death triggered a national debate over the extent to which people should be allowed to protect their possessions when faced with an intruder.
Initially found guilty of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment, Mr Martin’s conviction was later reduced to manslaughter.
He was released from prison in 2003 after serving two-thirds of a five-year sentence.