British farmer Tony Martin was expected to be freed from prison today after serving two-thirds of a five-year sentence for shooting a burglar and killing his 16-year-old accomplice.
He will be released on licence after repeatedly being turned down for parole because he refused to show remorse for killing Fred Barras
and shooting Brendan Fearon.
Martin was originally jailed for life for murder but his sentence was reduced on appeal for manslaughter.
Martin's case catapulted the issue of rural crime into the spotlight. The farmer said he had been repeatedly targeted by thieves and had received no help from police.
The 58-year-old's first taste of freedom comes on the same day as the head of the Prison Service reports to Home Secretary David Blunkett on why Martin's release coincides with that of Fearon.
Martin's supporters say he is livid that Fearon, whom he shot in the legs, was released less than a third of the way through an 18-month sentence for heroin dealing, imposed after he served 18 months of a three-year sentence for the farm burglary.
Martin reportedly has a $167,000 underworld contract on his head. Police have established a mobile police station outside his farmhouse for several weeks to ensure his safety.
Friends have said Martin plans to spearhead campaigns to protect householders who defend themselves against intruders, and to prevent burglars getting legal aid to sue for compensation if they are injured during a break-in.
Fearon, of Newark, Nottinghamshire, has begun a bid to sue Martin with legal aid for up to £15,000 for being unable to work since being shot in the legs.
