Mourners gather to remember Tony Martin, known for the 1999 shooting of a burglar at his farmhouse.
The shooting happened at his farmhouse. The burglar, Fred Barras, died and another man, Brendan Fearon, got hurt. Martin initially got a murder charge, but it changed to manslaughter later. This case sparked debate about home protection rights.
The funeral was at Mintlyn Crematorium in King’s Lynn on Tuesday. Martin died on February 2nd. A black car carried his coffin, decorated with red roses.
A funeral director led the way with a top hat and cane. Pallbearers took the coffin inside. A teddy bear sat near a photo of Martin, and Reverend Sandra Gardner led the service. Dozens of people attended.
Rev. Gardner spoke to the crowd, saying some knew Tony from media, but those at the funeral knew him best. They understood who he truly was. She read a tribute from his cousin, Tish.
Tish and Tony were close as kids and always supported each other. Tish stood up for Tony, feeling people misunderstood him. He went to boarding school young and was lonely there.
He did well in sports, but struggled with being alone. He could have gotten help, Tish said, if people understood his Asperger’s better. The service also played outside on a screen.
Martin traveled a lot. Rev. Gardner said he worked on oil rigs and spent time in Australia and New Zealand. He never recovered from the attacks that targeted him, his dogs, and his home. This made his life hard, along with others misunderstanding him.
He found peace in his garden. He loved growing things, marmalade sandwiches, his films, and his teddy bears.
His family asked for donations to the Welney Wildfowl Trust. People gave money in memory of Tony.