Martin: Judgement reserved

The 547 days that farmer Tony Martin has so far served of his life sentence for murdering a teenage intruder at his farmhouse have softened his attitude towards burglars - because he has mixed with so many of them, the Court of Appeal heard today.

"There is some softening of his strong views about burglars, many of whom he has mixed with in a prison setting and many of whom have been quite friendly towards him," said psychiatrist Dr Philip Joseph after interviewing Martin in his court cell this morning.

"He understands they are people and not a demonised force ranged against him."

Dr Joseph was giving evidence during submissions to the appeal judges that, if they reject Martin's claim that he acted in self-defence when he shot 16-year-old Fred Barras, they should reduce his conviction to manslaughter and free him from jail.

Lord Woolf, the Lord Chief Justice, sitting with Mr Justice Wright and Mr Justice Grigson, reserved judgment on Martin's appeal to a later date. Lord Woolf said their decision would be given "as soon as possible".

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