Burglary shooting man 'scarred'

A married man arrested after shooting burglars at his home says he acted to protect his wife and had been left "scarred" by the ordeal.

Andy Ferrie, 35, and his wife Tracey, 43, were held on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm after Mr Ferrie called police early last Sunday morning to tell them he had fired a shotgun at two of four intruders at his home.

Mr Ferrie used the gun, which was legally owned, when he and his wife were disturbed by raiders at their isolated farm in the Welby area of Leicestershire, near Melton Mowbray.

The couple were later bailed and told by Crown Prosecution Service officials on Wednesday that they would not face criminal charges.

Two men were treated in hospital after the shooting but neither sustained life-threatening injuries.

Speaking to The Sun, Mr Ferrie said: "I was petrified, scared stiff. I only did what any other bloke would have done given the situation. I'm no hero or hard man.

"I did what I did to protect my precious, lovely wife."

He added: "I was only a few feet away, I could have shot to kill but I didn't.

"Daft as it sounds, I was relieved later when I was told the injuries I had caused were not life-threatening. The events of the last few days have scarred us for life."

Judith Walker, Chief Crown Prosecutor for the East Midlands, said: "Looking at the evidence, it is clear to me that Mr and Mrs Ferrie did what they believed was necessary to protect themselves, and their home, from intruders."