'The householder is the victim here and justice should support them': MP backs homeowner who is held by police after 'burglars' were shot during break-in
By VANESSA ALLEN and REBECCA SEALES
PUBLISHED: 15:13, 2 September 2012 | UPDATED: 17:02, 3 September 2012
A government minister has issued an impassioned defence of two of his constituents, saying they should not be prosecuted for shooting two suspected burglars who allegedly broke into their remote farm cottage.
International Development Minister Alan Duncan, who is MP for Rutland and Melton, spoke out in support of homeowners Andy Ferrie, 35, and his wife Tracey, 43.
The couple were arrested in the early hours of Sunday after they were disturbed by the break-in at their home in the Welby area of Leicestershire, near Melton Mowbray.
They are presently being questioned by Leicestershire Police on suspicion of GBH.
It is understood Mr Ferrie grabbed a legally-owned shotgun and fired at two of the four intruders before calling the police himself.
Minister Mr Duncan said the Ferries should not face charges for defending their home.
'If this is a straightforward case of someone using a shotgun to defend themselves against burglars in the dead of night, then I would hope that the police will prosecute the burglars and not my constituents,' he said.
'The householder is the victim here and justice should support them and prosecute the burglars.'
Read more:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...#ixzz25RVC4aor
At least their parliamentary representative has some common sense.