MORE than 100 family and friends gathered yesterday for the funeral of Tony Martin, jailed for shooting dead a teen burglar.
The King’s Lynn, Norfolk, service did not refer directly to him killing Fred Barras, 16, in 1999 but quoted a relative saying he was a victim of “horrendous” attacks on his farm.
A hearse bringing farmer Tony Martin to his funeral[/caption]
Martin came into the spotlight when he fired an illegal gun at two intruders from his Norfolk farmhouse in 1999, killing one and wounding the other[/caption]
Tony served three years after his murder conviction was reduced to manslaughter.
He died aged 80 after a stroke.
Martin came into the spotlight when he fired an illegal gun at two intruders from his Norfolk farmhouse in 1999, killing one and wounding the other.
Following his death, questions swirled as to who would inherit his wealth.
His estranged brother, his long-term house-keeper, nieces and cousins could all be included in the will, which will be read later this year.
But according to a close relative, where Martin’s money will end up is an ongoing mystery because of how “private” and “frugal” the farmer was.
The friend also revealed the farmer’s numerous quirks, including buying old cars and dumping them when they broke down.
They said: “He became known around the area for abandoning them in various places whenever they stopped working.
“He left one at his favourite pub and never picked it up.”
They added that Tony never left the house after becoming “disillusioned with the world”.
Instead, he stayed in reading history books and listening to the radio – but “lived a very interesting life.”
Martin’s actions in 1999 sparked a nationwide debate over the measures homeowners can take to defend their property, and landed Martin a five-year sentence for manslaughter.
Following his death, questions swirled as to who would inherit his wealth – said to be about £5million[/caption]
