Police officers at the scene of the shooting near Melton Mowbray (Paul Tonge/Facebook)
Police officers at the scene of the shooting near Melton Mowbray (Paul Tonge/Facebook) Reuters

The decision not to charge a couple who shot at intruders as they attempted to rob their home has been praised by their representative in Parliament.

Andy and Tracey Ferrie had been arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm, after using a legally owned shotgun to fire at a group of men who broke into their home in Welby, Leicestershire, leaving two with minor injuries.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has now announced the couple will not be charged, as prosecutors believed the pair acted with reasonable self-defence during the incident.

Judith Walker, chief crown prosecutor for CPS East Midlands, said: "Looking at the evidence, it is clear to me that Mr and Mrs Ferrie did what they believed was necessary to protect themselves, and their home, from intruders."

The decision was welcomed by MP for Rutland and Melton Alan Duncan, who had previously called for the police to only prosecute the burglars, referring to Mr Ferrie as "the victim" in the case.

Speaking after the announcement, Duncan said: "I stuck my neck out in defence of my constituents on Monday.

"I'm delighted the CPS has seen sense and has exonerated them. The law has worked and so has the system.

"The focus must be on the burglars and not the victims. My constituents can hold their heads high."

After looking at all the evidence, the CPS decided the Ferries acted within the law in protecting themselves and their property.

Chief prosecutor Walker added: "As crown prosecutors we look at all cases on their merit and according to the evidence in the individual case. I am satisfied that this is a case where householders, faced with intruders in frightening circumstances, acted in reasonable self-defence.

"The law is clear that anyone who acts in good faith, using reasonable force, doing what they honestly feel is necessary to protect their families or their property, will not be prosecuted for such action."

Two men have already appeared at Loughborough Magistrates' Court charged with burglary.

Daniel Mansell, 33, from Leicester, pleaded guilty to the offence and was remanded in custody, to be sentenced at Leicester Crown Court on September 25.

Joshua O'Gorman, 27, who is also charged with burglary, gave no indication of his plea and was remanded in custody to reappear before magistrates on September 14.

Two other men, aged 23 and 31, were arrested on suspicion of aggravated burglary and have been released on bail pending further inquiries.