Burglary shooting couple
in clear

A couple who were arrested after a shooting incident during a burglary at their home will not face criminal charges, prosecutors have announced.

The Crown Prosecution Service said it had made the decision not to take action against Andy and Tracey Ferrie after a senior official visited their home in Welby, near Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire.

In a statement released by the CPS, Judith Walker, the 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.”

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Mr and Mrs Ferrie were arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm after a legally-owned shotgun was fired during a break-in early on Sunday.

The couple had been on bail but Ms Walker confirmed Leicestershire Police had been advised to release them from it.

In her statement Ms Walker said: “Earlier this afternoon, the head of the East Midlands Complex Casework Unit, Lawrence English, visited the scene of the incident to see for himself whether the accounts given by Mr and Mrs Ferrie were consistent with other evidence of what happened.

“As Crown Prosecutors we look at all cases on their merit and according to the evidence in the individual case.

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“I am satisfied that this is a case where householders, faced with intruders in frightening circumstances, acted in reasonable self-defence.”

News that the couple would not face charges came hours after two men appeared at Loughborough Magistrates’ Court charged with burglary.

Daniel Mansell, 33, from Leicester, pleaded guilty to the offence and was remanded in custody to be sentenced at Leicester Crown Court on September 25.

Joshua O’Gorman, 27, who was also charged with burglary, gave no indication of plea and was remanded in custody to reappear before magistrates on September 14.

Mansell appeared to have his arm in a sling under a sweatshirt.

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