Martin considers book deals

Tony Martin has not yet returned to his farmhouse

Farmer Tony Martin is considering a number of book and film offers, one of his friends said on Sunday.

Malcolm Starr, who led the campaign for Martin's freedom after the farmer was jailed for shooting dead a burglar, said no decisions had yet been made.

Martin, 58, of Emneth Hungate, Norfolk, was released from prison a week ago after serving two-thirds of a five-year sentence for manslaughter.

He has not yet returned to his isolated farmhouse - he spent the first few days of his freedom with representatives of a tabloid newspaper.

Row over 'public interest'

"He is considering a number of offers for films and books," said Mr Starr.

"He has made no decisions about any of them yet."

Martin is believed to have received about £100,000 after selling exclusive stories to the Daily Mirror and to ITV's Tonight programme.

The Daily Mirror was criticised for paying Martin for his story

The Press Complaints Commission said it is investigating the deal with the Daily Mirror.

Its rules say convicted criminals should not profit by selling stories to newspapers unless it is in the public interest; the Daily Mirror says the deal it struck with Martin fits into that category.

Martin was jailed after shooting dead 16-year-old Fred Barras in August 1999.

The teenager died after being shot in the back.

His accomplice, Brendan Fearon, 33, was wounded in the incident.