Six held over burglary and shooting at farm

Police who arrested a homeowner after two suspected burglars were shot have been granted more time to question him.

Named by sources as Andy Ferrie, 35, he was arrested in the early hours of Sunday after he and his 43-year-old wife Tracey were disturbed by a break-in at their isolated farm in the Welby area of Leicestershire, near Melton Mowbray.

Mrs Ferrie was also arrested and both are being questioned on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm.

Four men were also arrested on suspicion of aggravated burglary, police said.

A police spokeswoman said officers had been granted more time to question all six.

She said: "Police investigating an incident in Melton have been granted a magistrates' court extension to question those arrested."

It is understood Mr Ferrie grabbed a legally owned shotgun and fired at two of the four intruders during the break-in before calling police.

Neither he nor his wife suffered any injuries during the incident.

Rutland and Melton MP Alan Duncan, a government minister, said the householders should not be prosecuted for defending their home.

"If this is a straightforward case of someone using a shotgun to defend themselves against burglars in the dead of night, then I would hope that the police will prosecute the burglars and not my constituents," he said.

"The householder is the victim here and justice should support them and prosecute the burglars."

The police spokeswoman said that shortly after the force received the call, at about 12.30am, the ambulance service was called to treat a man with shotgun injuries.

It is understood that call was made by one of the suspected burglars.

Later, a second man was treated for shotgun injuries after presenting himself at Leicester Royal Infirmary.

Their injuries are not life-threatening, police said.

The two men and two others were arrested at the hospital on suspicion of aggravated burglary.

Three of the suspects, aged 23, 31 and 33, are in police custody, while the fourth, aged 27, remains in hospital under arrest while he receives treatment. No charges have been brought against any of the six people arrested.

PA