Father's murder charge dropped

A father of two has had a murder charge against him dropped after it was found he had been acting in self-defence.

Barry Sofrin, of Little Snoring, Norfolk, had been charged with the murder of fellow villager 44-year-old Richard Saunders who died in an altercation on 9 August 2003.

Norwich Crown Court heard on Wednesday that Mr Saunders had been drinking before he armed himself with a machete, went to the Sofrin's home and attacked Mr Sofrin.

Judge David Mellor said the defendant had dealt Mr Saunders a fatal blow during the incident, but there was no evidence to suggest that the he had been "acting unlawfully".

Violent attack

Judge Mellor said there seemed to be no reason why the deceased had decided to go to the Sofrin's home on 9 August.

"Regrettably he armed himself with a machete-type instrument and burst through Mr Sofrin's front door," he said.

"He then subjected Mr Sofrin to a violent attack in the hallway of his home."

He added: "A number of blows were delivered by Mr Sofrin to the deceased and it is not possible to say which of these was the fatal blow.

"After careful consideration and extensive police enquiries, it is not possible for the Crown to disprove Mr Sofrin's assertion that he was acting lawfully and reasonably in self-defence."