Tony Martin, who rose to prominence when he shot dead a teenage burglar in his home more than 25 years ago, has died aged 80.

Martin served three years in jail after he interrupted Fred Barras, 16, and Brendan Fearon, 29, when they were burgling his home in Emneth Hungate, Norfolk, in 1999. The farmer shot at them – killing Barras.

The case sparked a nationwide public debate about whether his actions were proportionate. Martin became a cause célèbre for homeowners worried about their rights to protect themselves and their property.

Martin claimed he had previously been the target of burglaries, and said he was acting in self-defence.

A friend, Malcolm Starr, told the BBC Martin had died shortly before 3pm on Sunday at Wisbech hospital in Cambridgeshire. He said Martin had a stroke a few months ago.

Barras and Fearon had travelled from Newark in Nottinghamshire to steal from his semi-derelict farm home, called Bleak House, where Martin stored antiques.

Martin fired his shotgun three times towards the intruders. Barras was killed, while Fearon was treated for his injuries in hospital.

He was initially found guilty of murder, but this was reduced to manslaughter on appeal.

The high-profile nature of the case led to the production of a Channel 4 drama, The Interrogation of Tony Martin, with the League of Gentlemen actor Steve Pemberton playing Martin.

Months after his release in 2003, he was invited to speak at the Oxford Union. He said he did not have any regrets, a sentiment he repeated in interviews in the 25 years since.

But when Martin was asked if Barras had deserved to die, he had a one-word answer. “No.”

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