Tony Martin to speak at school

Tony Martin will speak to sixth-formers at Oundle School.

An independent school in Northamptonshire has defended its decision to pay Norfolk farmer Tony Martin to speak to pupils.

Richard Mather, the history master at Oundle School, has booked the farmer to talk to 180 sixth form pupils.

The booking comes despite criticism in recent weeks by politicians of anyone who pays convicted criminals to talk about their crimes.

Tony Martin was released earlier this year after serving two-thirds of a five-year jail sentence for shooting dead 16-year-old Fred Barras, who was trying to break into his farmhouse.

Speaking on BBC Radio Northampton, Mr Mather said he paid every speaker that came to the school.

"I think if I didn't pay him it would be a matter for remark," he said.

"I'm inviting him because he is heading up a campaign to bring attention to the crime of burglary."

'Public concern'

Mr Mather said pupils needed to be challenged rather than protected, and the issues of the day should not be kept from them.

"I am paying him to talk about the problem of burglary.

"I am paying him to talk about his experience as someone who's been burgled.

"We've had lawyers, we've had judges who say burglars should have their sentences reduced, and we've had plenty of examples of police indifference.

"I think it's a matter of great public concern."

Mr Mather would not say how much he was paying Tony Martin, though he said it would be in "the low hundreds."

He also said the school would not be making public the day of the farmer's visit.