S11E05 | The Murder of Fred Barras (Emneth Hungate, Norfolk, 1999)
British Murders with Stuart Blues
Stuart Blues
4.7 • 699 Ratings
🗓️ 25 October 2023
⏱️ 34 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
In this episode, I tell the story of Fred Barras, a 16-year-old boy killed in Emneth Hungate, Norfolk, on August 20, 1999.
Fred and his friend, 29-year-old Brendon Fearon, were burgling the isolated farmhouse Bleak House when its owner, 54-year-old farmer Tony Martin, caught them in the act and unloaded his shotgun at them. Both men were hit, but only Fred died due to his injuries.
Tony was handed a life sentence in April 2000 after being found guilty of murder. His conviction was later reduced to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility in October 2001 after a successful appeal.
Receiving a retrospective five-year prison sentence, Tony served just over three and was released in August 2003.
Almost a quarter of a century after the shooting at Bleak House, this case remains one of the most divisive in British history.
**The following is NOT a sponsored message**
If you are experiencing domestic abuse or are concerned that someone you know is, please consider contacting one of the following charities:
Refuge (the largest specialist domestic abuse organisation in the UK): 0808 2000 247
Respect (Men's Advice Line): 0808 801 0327
Galop (the UK’s LGBT+ anti-abuse charity): 0800 999 5428
Women's Aid (a national charity working to end domestic abuse against women and children): [email protected]
REMEMBER - If you are in immediate danger, please call 999!
For all things British Murders, please visit my website:
Intro music:
David John Brady - 'Throw Down the Gauntlet'
linktr.ee/davidjohnbradymusic
References:
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcript
Click on a timestamp to play from that location
| 0:00.0 | This podcast contains elements that may be alarming to some listeners. |
| 0:04.2 | Listener discretion is advised. |
| 0:06.4 | You are now listening to British Brothers. |
| 0:09.8 | This will cry podcast. Hello everyone and welcome to British murders, the podcast focusing exclusively on British murder cases and serial killers. |
| 0:32.7 | I'm your host Stuart Blues and this is the fifth episode of season 11. |
| 0:37.6 | Before we get into it, let's break the ice. |
| 0:39.8 | The show's first opening icebreaker segment is this. |
| 0:43.4 | Do you facts that sound like both? |
| 0:46.6 | Did you know, when written down, the word almost is the longest word in the English |
| 0:52.3 | language to have all of its letters in alphabetical order. |
| 0:56.5 | I'll let you ponder over that while you maybe write it down with a pen and a pencil and a piece of paper. |
| 1:02.0 | Now it's time for the show's final opening icebreaker segment. |
| 1:05.8 | Final quote of the day. |
| 1:08.3 | It's great to be the fastest runner, but not when you're running in the wrong direction. |
| 1:13.8 | That was said by Richard Osmond, currently enjoying his Thursday Murder Club series of books. |
| 1:19.5 | A listener called Megan requested this case via email. |
| 1:23.3 | We're in the Norfolk village of Emneth this week, located in the east of England. |
| 1:28.4 | For reference, the village is around 3 miles south east of Wyssbech, 22 miles east and slightly north of Peterborough, |
| 1:36.3 | and for my international listeners, 90 miles north of London. |
| 1:40.7 | Here are five quick fire facts about Emneth. |
| 1:43.5 | Number one, Emneth's name is of Anglo-Saxon origin and derives from the Old English for |
| 1:49.7 | Ina's Meeting Place or Meadow. |
... |
Please login to see the full transcript.
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Stuart Blues, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.
Generated transcripts are the property of Stuart Blues and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.
Copyright © Tapesearch 2025.