'Hawk' admits to shotgun attack

Armed police found Martin in a Perthshire cottage after a tip-off

A notorious criminal has admitted firing a shotgun in a Fife man's house.

Brian Martin, also known as "The Hawk", had been released early from a previous jail term when he attacked Richard Law at his home in Kelty.

Martin, from Ballingry, went on the run for two weeks after the attack and was arrested after a nationwide manhunt.

At the High Court in Perth, Martin, 48, admitted firing a shotgun in Mr Law's home in August 2005. He will be sentenced on 3 May.

The court was told that Martin and his nephew Brian Richardson, 17, had turned up at Mr Law's home to demand money.

Richardson wielded an axe and detained two girls and a man while Martin confronted Mr Law with the gun.

Following a scuffle between Martin and Mr Law, the victim managed to break free, and the pair fled.

Armed police

A nationwide manhunt was launched and Richardson, also from Ballingry, gave himself up to police a few days later.

Armed police traced Martin to a Perthshire holiday cottage following a tip-off.

Martin admitted attacking Mr Law by entering his home, detaining him and repeatedly demanding money.

He also admitted three further charges relating to the possession of the gun.

Richardson admitted entering Mr Law's home, wielding an axe and detaining two girls against their will.

The court was told that Martin was out on licence from a 12-year jail term imposed for assault, robbery and firearms offences, at the time of the attack.