Martin case sparks law change

The Home Secretary today promised new laws to prevent burglars suing their victims in the wake of the Tony Martin case.

David Blunkett said he would stop a repeat of the situation which allowed one of the gang which tried to rob the farmer claiming compensation from him.

Mr Blunkett's comments came as Martin, 58, was enjoying his second day of freedom after being released from jail after serving two thirds of a fiveyear sentence for shooting dead teenage burglar Fred Barras.

Martin had not returned to his remote farmhouse today and his whereabouts were not known.

Mr Blunkett said he intended to amend the Criminal Justice Bill. He said: "I will ensure that those intruding on the lives and property of decent citizens will not be able to turn the tables and sue them."

The proposed changes to the Bill would also mean that criminals would not have access to legal aid.

However, a householder would have to show he had acted "reasonably and proportionately" to defend himself and his property.

Martin shot and killed 16-year-old Barras in August 1999. He faced a £15,000 compensation claim from Barras's accomplice, Brendon Fearon, a 33-year-old career criminal, who was shot in the leg during the break-in.