SUPPORTERS of Tony Martin described the reported intention of the burglar wounded by the farmer to sue him for £100,000 as preposterous.
Malcolm Starr, who campaigned to get Martin released from prison for killing a 16- year-old housebreaker, said that the public would be angered by Brendan Fearon’s demand for the six-figure sum.
Fearon, 33, was shot in both legs when he broke into Martin’s Norfolk farmhouse in 1999. His accomplice, Fred Barras, was shot dead. Fearon said earlier said that he was claiming £15,000, but reports last night said that “a close associate” was now saying that the the compensation claim had increased to £100,000.
Fearon was released early from an 18-month prison sentence for heroin dealing. Neither he nor his lawyers were available for comment last night.
Martin was freed from jail last week after serving two thirds of a five-year sentence for manslaughter.