Shooting case farmer refused leave to appeal

Farmer Tony Martin - who is serving a prison sentence after shooting two burglars who broke into his home - was today said to be ‘‘phlegmatic but disappointed’’ after losing the latest stage of his fight to clear his name.

Friends of the farmer, who lived at Emneth Hungate, Norfolk, said three law lords had refused Martin permission to appeal against a manslaughter conviction.

Martin, who killed one burglar and injured the other, was initially convicted of murder by a jury.

But that conviction was reduced to manslaughter by the court of appeal late last year.