From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] JAILED FARMER'S LAWYER BACKS HERO POSTMASTER 210915 JUN 00 By Alistair Keely, PA News A postmaster who killed a masked raider who tried to rob him with a shotgun today received the backing of one of the solicitors representing jailed Norfolk farmer Tony Martin. Mr Nick Makin said he hoped Postmaster Richard Watkins would escape prosecution after defending himself and his post office in the isolated village of Wolverley, near Kidderminster, yesterday. Mr Makin said it was wrong to compare every similar incident with that of Tony Martin - but on this occasion he believed the "general principles apply". Martin was jailed for life for shooting one burglar dead and wounding another when the pair broke into his remote farmhouse. Mr Makin said: "If burglars break into premises they must and should expect members of the public to defend themselves, particularly in areas where the police can't or won't defend members of the public. "Any loss of life is of course regrettable. Burglars have the option - don't burgle. If they accept that option no one will get hurt. "Property-owners don't have that option, burglars don't give them that option," he said. Mr Watkins went into action yesterday when a man ran into his shop and threatened him with a shotgun. There was a struggle during which the gunman was stabbed in the chest several times with a lock knife Mr Watkins used to open papers in the morning, said a West Mercia Police spokesman. The would-be robber staggered bleeding from the post office and was bundled into a stolen blue Ford Sierra car by two accomplices who were waiting outside. The body of the raider, Scott Martin Griffiths, 28, of Wall Heath, Kingswinford, West Midlands, was found shortly afterwards, in the getaway car the other gang members abandoned several miles away in the Wall Heath area of the West Midlands. During the raid Mr Watkins, 50, was also hit over the head with the butt of the shotgun, and required three stitches in hospital, officers added. Assistant Chief Constable Peter Neyroud, of West Mercia Police, said Mr Watkins was "very brave" and added: "This must have been a terrifying ordeal for the man, to be confronted by a man wielding a shotgun and wearing a Balaclava. "He was very brave. He's extremely well-known in the village. He's a very popular man. "He is very shocked and we're doing all we can today to settle him down. "The starting point is that he is a victim." Mr Watkins's brother, Stuart Watkins, 55, a graphic designer, from the nearby village of Franche, said he could not believe what had happened. "I'm absolutely shocked," he said. "(Richard's) such a nice guy. He's an inoffensive sort of man. He wouldn't hurt a fly. This is just typical of Richard. He just wants to get on and run his business." One man was being questioned today after being arrested last night in connection with the raid, police said. He was arrested at an address in the West Midlands and was being detained at Stourbridge police station. ####################### TWO MEN AND A WOMAN HELD IN MASKED RAIDER DEATH CASE 211204 JUN 00 By Phil Hazlewood, PA News Two more men and one woman have been arrested in connection with an attempted robbery at a rural post office after which one of the raiders was found dead in a getaway car, police said today. West Mercia Police said the arrests were related to yesterday's attempted raid on the isolated Wolverley Post Office, in Wolverley Village, near Kidderminster, Worcestershire. Officers arrested one man last night and were expected to question him today. During the attack, a struggle developed between one raider, named by police as Scott Martin Griffiths and 50-year-old postmaster Richard Watkins. Mr Watkins stabbed the 28-year-old from Wall Heath, Kingswinford, West Midlands, who then staggered bleeding from the shop to a waiting stolen blue Ford Sierra car helped by two accomplices. Mr Griffiths was later found fatally wounded in the abandoned vehicle in the Wall Heath area after an anonymous 999 call. A post mortem examination showed he died of a single stab wound to the chest. Officers investigating the incident said they would be speaking to Mr Watkins as a witness during the course of the day. Forensic examination of the scene was continuing. The case has been compared with that of Norfolk farmer Tony Martin who was jailed for life earlier this year after he shot dead a burglar at his isolated farm. A jury found him guilty of murder. In Wolverley today, house-to-house inquiries were under way. Police were also seeking witnesses near to where the getaway vehicle was abandoned. Mr Watkins, who has been described as an exemplary and well-known figure in the community, was praised by police yesterday for his bravery during the attack and was being treating as a "victim". Several residents last night said they believed Mr Watkins was justified in doing what he did. None believed he should be prosecuted in the same way as farmer Martin. Bob Harkness, 48, said there were similarities with the Tony Martin case, but he believed a court case was not necessary. "I know Richard Watkins and he is a gentle considerate man. He was forced to react and protect himself and his property. It was a spur of the moment thing. If someone pulls a gun on you, you have no choice." -- The first article makes the same grammatical error as the Daily Mail - this was not a burglary, this was a robbery. The Times had a classic mistake, saying he was threatened with a sawn-off shotgun before "being hit with the butt of the rifle". 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