THE York haulage boss who held off a gang of armed robbers in his home with an empty shotgun spoke today of his sympathy for freed farmer Tony Martin.

Roy Handley, 69, used the unloaded weapon to scare off three masked men, armed with pistols, as they raided his home at Drome Farm, Elvington.

The three tricked their way in by shouting "police raid", and attacked Mr Handley's son, Andrew, pistol whipping him twice.

One robber shot 41-year-old Andrew in the leg as the gang escaped.

Mr Handley, who runs A1 Haulage, said he had "a lot of sympathy" for Tony Martin, who returned to his Norfolk farm on Friday, four years after killing 16-year-old burglar Fred Barras.

The teenager and accomplice Brendan Fearon were fired on by shotgun-wielding Martin during a burglary at the farmer's remote home.

Mr Handley said: "All he (Martin) was trying to do is defend his own home. "He'd had burglars through there that many times, it must have got too much for him.

"It is all right people saying do this and do that, but if you don't know who is coming to your home or when they are coming you don't know what you might do. "What I did that night was me acting instinctively. Until you have had a gun pointed at you, you don't know what it is like."

Mr Handley said he was glad he did not have to use his shotgun on the night of the raid.

"That is a last resort. But I would have done it if I'd had to."

He said security had now been improved at his farm.

"If they come back we will be ready, we are on our guard. The place is good and secure now, it's cost a fair bit, but it's well worth it," Mr Handley added.

He said Andrew had nearly recovered from his gunshot wound, for which he needed surgery.

Drome Farm was raided at about 11pm on July 1. No one has yet been arrested in connection with the incident.

Anyone with information is asked to phone York CID on 01904 669353 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Updated: 11:32 Monday, August 11, 2003