The Interrogation of Tony Martin

He appealed and the sentence was reduced from murder to manslaughter where he got 5yrs, he served 3yrs and was released in 2003 after previously being denied parole.

A very odd man.

I remember the case, and the huge discussions which it started about whether an ordinary householder was entitled to use force to protect his/her property.

I remember thinking then that I would have shot whoever came into my house, although I like to think that I would shout a warning first. I'm pretty sure that if this had happened in the USA, there would have been no criminal charge: they're stronger on defence of your property, and of course most Americans are armed in some States.

A small point was revealed during this dramatisation, which was not common knowledge at the time, and this was that Tony Martin had been abused as a youngster. This had altered his character and made him someone who preferred to be a recluse. Definitely someone more likely to fiercely guard his privacy.

EDIT::  I nearly forgot to say, that this dramatisation was excellent. Well acted by all, and I liked the fact that instead of it being an entire play, it just concentrated on his interrogations following the murder and was only an hour long 

He must have been damn frightened, though. He had no idea how many of them there were, he had been burgled twice already that year, he was living out in the wilds and knew that the Police might take an hour to get there, and he knew that they were bold enough to break in even though they knew he was at home.

I do agree that it will be a terrible place if we ever copy the USA and most people feel they have to be armed.

I think it was also that he had laid traps for potential burglars so that they couldn't get away etc. Wasn't it that he had removed some steps from his stairs and things like that, which was why one of them broke his leg. Terrible situation to be in for any person. It is bad enough when you are on your own and you hear a sound and you daren't breath when you know you have your mobile and can phone the police. Sometimes the dog used to give me such a fright. So I can slightly understand how he felt and have a lot of sympathy but the burglars were running away. I think it is very difficult.

A baseball bat in the corner of your room is actually classed as a weapon that you have planned to use unless you play baseball. Better to have a handy implement that could be used in a normal house or hang the bat on the wall next to a print of your favourite team. This way it is classed as spur of the moment in order to defend yourself but otherwise it is considered to be a weapon you plan to use in the eventuality. Which is why Martin got 3 years.