Legal News

The couple who was arrested for shooting burglars who broke into their isolated cottage was dropped of all charges after the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) announced last night that that the Ferries had acted within the law, which allows people to use reasonable force to protect themselves, their family or their property.

Initially they were arrested and kept under custody for two days which was condemned by the rural community.

Andy and Tracey Ferrie were questioned by police for more than two days after the incident in Welby, near Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, early on and Sunday. They were confronted in their bedroom by four masked man who smashed into their home.

Mr Andy had used a legally held shotgun causing minor injuries to two of the intruders.
The alleged burglars were detained after one attended hospital, while Mr and Mrs Ferrie were arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm, a move widely condemned within the quiet rural community.
They were released on police bail yesterday pending further inquiries and feared that their plans to emigrate to Australia would be derailed.
In a statement, Judith Walker, the chief prosecutor for the East Midlands, said after looking at the evidence, it was clear that Mr and Mrs Ferrie did what they believed was necessary to protect themselves, and their home, from intruders.
He said he was satisfied that this was a case where householders, faced with intruders in frightening circumstances, acted in reasonable self-defence. He therefore advised Leicestershire Police that Mr and Mrs Ferrie should be released from their bail as they were not going to face any charges over what happened.
Mrs Ferrie’s mother, Hazel Towell, 63, said It was a great relief. At last everybody has seen sense.
Daniel Mansell, 33, appeared in court yesterday and pleaded guilty to burglary with intent to steal at the couple’s home.
Loughborough magistrates heard that Mr and Mrs Ferrie came face to face with the 6ft serial offender, who had a T-shirt wrapped around his face, after being woken by the sound of breaking glass.
Mansell, who was out of prison on licence after serving time for grievous bodily harm, later arrived at Leicester Royal Infirmary with a shotgun wound to the hand, the court heard. He claimed he had been acting on a tip-off that there was £70,000 in the house and it was being used as a cannabis farm. There was no evidence of cash or cannabis at the property, said Sally Cook, prosecuting. Mansell was remanded in custody.