Support grows for farmer

19 December 2005 07:00

Support was mounting yesterday for a Norfolk farmer who fired a shotgun at burglars on his land.

Michael Human was questioned by police over the incident on Friday but released without charge.

The 58-year-old had let off a single cartridge at two hooded intruders who had been breaking into one of his outbuildings.

North-West Norfolk MP Henry Bellingham said Mr Human was "quite entitled" to use the gun and backed calls to give greater power to homeowners.

"It is a fact of life that many burglars do come out armed and high on drugs and could be very, very dangerous indeed," he said.

"If he hadn't taken a gun and had been killed, every-one would have said he was mad not to have it with him.

"I think Mr Human was quite entitled to do what he did and I am pleased he hasn't been charged by the police and hope he won't be."

Mr Human, who runs a turkey farm in Walpole Cross Keys, was woken by his dog barking at 5.30am on Friday.

He went to investigate with his shotgun and fired at the two burglars when they drove their van towards him.

Police have appealed for witnesses to the incident and were last night still trying to track down the vehicle the intruders used to make their getaway.

Mr Human's son, Ben, told the EDP he was "proud" of his father's actions and described him as the "nicest bloke in the world".

Neighbours of the farmer also joined in the chorus of support, saying they backed his decision to take on the burglars with a shotgun.

Mr Human's case has been likened to that of the Tony Martin shooting controversy at Emneth Hungate, near Wisbech, in 1999.

The Norfolk farmer was jailed for life after he shot at two burglars, hitting 16-year-old Fred Barras in the back.

The sentence was later reduced to five years and the conviction reduced to manslaughter on appeal.

A police spokesman said officers were still making inquiries over the shooting in an attempt to track down the two burglars.

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