A farmer who fatally shot a teenage burglar two decades ago has candidly revealed that he has "no regrets" over the killing. In 1999, Tony Martin became notorious after he killed 16-year-old Fred Barras when the latter broke into his farm with then-19-year-old Brendon Fearon. The man encountered the duo at his isolated Bleak House farm - located in Norfolk, England - and fired his shotgun, killing the teen and seriously injuring his friend. Martin was condemned for Barras' death in 2000 but the controversial case hit headlines again just a year later when the verdict was overturned on appeal. Due to this, he was sentenced to three years in jail for manslaughter <img class="wp-image-1263209013 size-full" src="https://img.vt.co/2023/04/G6FH6E.jpg" alt="" width="1765" height="1351" />[[imagecaption|| Tony Martin killed 16-year-old Fred Barras. Credit: PA Images / Alamy]] Now, twenty years on from his release in July 2003, the now-78-year-old man has stated that he would like to clear his name but thinks there's little hope in doing so. Speaking to <a href="https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/farmer-tony-martin-doesnt-regret-29810476">The Mirror</a>, Martin recalled the tragic shooting and said: "I went to bed that night with the Farmers Weekly and a bottle of wine. I had the radio on. Suddenly, the house was broken into and my life changed. Does that make me a guilty man?" "Can you imagine it? It was a terrifying experience. You go home one night and someone breaks into your house and you get the police jumping on [your] back," he continued. "I’ve had to live with that for more than 20 years." "Suddenly, I’m this man that wants to kill people," Martin stated. "I don’t regret anything – what was I supposed to do? Hide under the bed clothes? Before I knew where I was I was locked up by the police. It’s unlucky that I was the fall guy." <img class="wp-image-1263209018 size-full" src="https://img.vt.co/2023/04/2D30D39.jpg" alt="" width="1640" height="1052" />[[imagecaption|| Sixteen-year-old Barras' funeral. Credit: PA Images / Alamy]] The farmer shot the burglars after catching them in the farmhouse in Emneth Hungate, where he lived alone. A shot was blasted at the boys while they were in the stairwell and then two more were fired as they ran away. Barras was shot in the leg and back and he died at the scene while his accomplice was pierced in the leg. However, he survived. After the fatal shooting, Martin - who still owns the $3.7 million farm and spends his time in a neighboring barn - prompted a nationwide discussion about the actions homeowners can take to safeguard their property. The pensioner told the outlet about being a "different person" after being in jail and reflected on how his life has now changed. He also opened up about being an outcast and described as a "man that wants to kill people". "When people see me they know me, but they know me on the basis not as a friend or an acquaintance, they see me as the guy who shot the burglar," he said. "They said I was waiting with a gun - I’ve had a gun ever since I was a child. I don’t know any farmer that doesn’t have a gun." <img class="wp-image-1263209015 size-full" src="https://img.vt.co/2023/04/G50G62.jpg" alt="" width="1728" height="1152" />[[imagecaption|| Bleak House farm in Norfolk, where Martin shot to Barras. Credit: PA Images / Alamy]] While he is yet to submit a file to the Criminal Cases Review Commission, he added that he is worried that he doesn't have enough "steam" to petition his manslaughter conviction. "You may think I’ve got a chip on my shoulder but I’m bound to. I haven’t met anybody who says I was wrong. I don’t think people appreciate what happened. I’ve been naive, I’m too honest for my own good and I don’t like dishonesty," Martin said. "I would like to appeal but you can’t because you need fresh evidence. My idea of fresh evidence and their idea [of it] are different. I’d love to clear my name before I die but it may never happen. The law won’t allow it," he added. Martin still works on 300 acres of land on his farm - despite not setting foot in his farmhouse for 19 years. He explained that he has not walked inside since the tragedy because he fears he will "react violently if burgled again". <h6>Featured image credit: PA Images / Alamy</h6>

Farmer, 78, says he doesn't 'regret' killing 16-year-old burglar

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