Domestic Goddess
26-10-04, 02:43 PM
Judge backs farmer who shot burglar
Victim support groups have called for clarification of the law after a burglar shot during a raid on a farmhouse was jailed for seven years while the farmer who fired at him was backed by a judge.
Derby Crown Court heard how John Rae, 22, had targeted 73-year-old Kenneth Faulkner's isolated home three times last year before the pensioner hit back.
Mr Faulkner's treatment contrasted with the prosecution of Tony Martin, who was jailed for the manslaughter of a burglar at his isolated Norfolk farmhouse seven years ago.
Mr Martin served two-thirds of his five-year sentence for killing 16-year-old Fred Barras before being freed in July last year.
His conviction provoked a tide of public sympathy and his supporters said the 58-year-old should not have been jailed for protecting his property.
Victim support organisations called for clearer guidelines for householders on what constitutes "reasonable force" when protecting their homes against intruders.
Norman Brennan, director of the Victims of Crime Trust, backed Mr Faulkner.
He said: "The law does not need changing, it just needs to be explained in layman's terms to the public about what reasonable force can they use to protect themselves, their families and their homes.
"Every householder has the right to protect themselves and their property and the law says that they can use what force they believe is necessary.
"The law is on the side of the householder, not the criminal."
Victim support groups have called for clarification of the law after a burglar shot during a raid on a farmhouse was jailed for seven years while the farmer who fired at him was backed by a judge.
Derby Crown Court heard how John Rae, 22, had targeted 73-year-old Kenneth Faulkner's isolated home three times last year before the pensioner hit back.
Mr Faulkner's treatment contrasted with the prosecution of Tony Martin, who was jailed for the manslaughter of a burglar at his isolated Norfolk farmhouse seven years ago.
Mr Martin served two-thirds of his five-year sentence for killing 16-year-old Fred Barras before being freed in July last year.
His conviction provoked a tide of public sympathy and his supporters said the 58-year-old should not have been jailed for protecting his property.
Victim support organisations called for clearer guidelines for householders on what constitutes "reasonable force" when protecting their homes against intruders.
Norman Brennan, director of the Victims of Crime Trust, backed Mr Faulkner.
He said: "The law does not need changing, it just needs to be explained in layman's terms to the public about what reasonable force can they use to protect themselves, their families and their homes.
"Every householder has the right to protect themselves and their property and the law says that they can use what force they believe is necessary.
"The law is on the side of the householder, not the criminal."