Ellen Barras, 46, of Devon Road, Newark, Nottinghamshire, said her son was just a "rogue" who had fallen in with bad company.

Fred Barras, 16, suffered fatal gunshot wounds following an incident at an isolated farmhouse in Emneth, Norfolk, late on Friday.

The BBC's Richard Bilton reports on the shooting incident at Bleak House

His friend, 29-year-old Brendan Fearon, was taken to hospital with gunshot wounds to his legs.

He was released on police bail last night.

A third man, questioned at King's Lynn police station after being arrested in the early hours of Saturday in Emneth, has also been released on police bail until September.

Mrs Barras said: "I cannot believe what has happened. Everyone loved him very much.

"It was awful when the police came on Saturday evening. They took us down to Norfolk and we had to identify my boy's body."

Farmer questioned

Mrs Barras was being comforted by her five daughters and several other family members.

The dead boy's aunt Ann Ball said: "We are all very shocked. I know Fred had got into a bit of trouble in the past and like any young lad he knew some bad people.

"Still you do not think that something as dreadful as this is going to happen."

Farm owner Tony Martin is being questioned by police

The owner of the farm, bachelor Tony Martin, 54, is being questioned at King's Lynn police station after the incident at his dilapidated farmhouse, Bleak House.

Officers said he was being held on suspicion of murder and attempted murder, after being arrested at a hotel in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, early on Saturday.

Relatives and neighbours said Mr Martin had been the victim of a number of break-ins recently.

Farmer Stewart Mayfield, 48, who lives about half a mile from Mr Martin, said: "I am not surprised that something like this has happened because of all the break-ins we have had around here in recent years.

"I know Tony has been burgled twice in the last few months.

"The last time they took an antique chest and some of his personal family papers and photographs. Some of those papers turned up in a ditch. The police got no one for it. He was very upset."

His aunt, Joan Whitton, said: "It's been going on for so long he was absolutely at the end of his tether."