Welby farm shooting: Raiders from Leicester jailed
Two burglars who were shot by a homeowner during a break-in at his farm in Leicestershire have been jailed.
Joshua O'Gorman, 27, and Daniel Mansell, 33, were fired at with a shotgun by Andy Ferrie during a raid at his cottage in Welby on 2 September.
Mr Ferrie and his wife were arrested over the shooting, but later released without charge.
The two men, from Leicester, admitted burglary and were jailed for four years at Leicester Crown Court.
Prosecutor Alan Murphy told the court Andy and Tracey Ferrie had gone to bed on the evening of 1 September and were woken hours later by banging and the sound of breaking glass.
He said: "They investigated. They went from their bedroom, downstairs, and on their way down Mrs Ferrie took hold of the couple's lawfully held shotgun and gave it to Mr Ferrie.
"They went downstairs and described seeing three males in the hall or kitchen area wearing some kind of face covering.
"One of the males, suspected to be Mr O'Gorman, was about to reach into a drawer in the kitchen which, they were aware but he probably was not, held a number of knives, as can be expected in a kitchen.
"As a result of that, Mr Ferrie fired his shotgun. Mr O'Gorman was hit in his face, Mr Mansell in his hand.
"The burglars fled without actually being able to steal anything."
Mr Ferrie called police to the farm and when they arrived he informed them he had shot at the group.
The couple were arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm, but were released from bail after the CPS said it was satisfied they had acted in reasonable self-defence.
Shooting 'not mitigation'
Mansell and O'Gorman were arrested at Leicester Royal Infirmary shortly after the shooting.
Judge Michael Pert QC told the pair: "I make it plain that, in my judgment, being shot is not mitigation.
"If you burgle a house in the country where the householder owns a legally held shotgun, that is the chance you take.
"You cannot come to court and ask for a lighter sentence because of it."
The prosecution told the court Mansell was released from prison last May after serving part of a six-year sentence for wounding with intent.
In total, his criminal record consisted of eight previous convictions involving 19 offences.
O'Gorman had 16 previous convictions, involving 27 offences, many for dishonesty and driving offences.