A farmer who was arrested accused of shooting a suspected thief has been released on police bail as fundraising to pay his legal fees exceeds £40,000.
Rob Lomas, 50, was arrested on suspicion of murder after Marcus Smith, 19, was found dead at his farm in Derbyshire on Wednesday morning.
At around 1.20am, police received a call about a burglary at a farm property.
Mr Lomas was also arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a second teenager, who was arrested on suspicion of aggravated robbery, was found with gunshot wounds on the road near the farm.
The farmer has already been released on bail. reported the Sun.
Derbyshire Police said yesterday that investigations are continuing and that three men who were arrested in connection with the robbery have also been released on bail.
It comes as the fundraising page, set up by Lomas’s son Joshua, has reached £41,000.
Rob Lomas, 50 (pictured), was arrested on suspicion of murder after Marcus Smith, 19, was found dead at his farm in Derbyshire on Wednesday morning.
Marcus Smith (pictured), 19, was found dead on Wednesday.
It comes as the fundraising page, set up by Lomas’s son Joshua, has reached £41,000.
The GoFundMe page uses the hashtag ‘freethefarmer’ and 2,000 donations.
Joshua wrote: ‘We are raising much-needed funds to support our family and my father, Rob, at this very difficult time.
‘Rob has the most unwavering loyalty you could ask for in a father and friend and has always been there for me and all his friends.
‘Like any farmer, he works tirelessly in all weathers, but always finds time for a beer and a fun, friendly chat.
‘Rob, Kate (his partner) and I will need help in the coming weeks. That is why we need your kind and extremely valuable help.
“Please donate as much as you can – every pound is greatly appreciated.”
Meanwhile, tributes have been paid to Marcus on social media.
He has been described as the “loveliest guy”, “sweet and polite”, and someone who “lit up every room he walked into”.
GoFundMe page uses ‘freethefarmer’ hashtag and 2,000 donations
Divisional Commander Chief Superintendent Dave Kirby previously said: “I would like to thank the local community for all their support throughout this investigation so far.”
‘We appreciate the impact that an incident like this can have on communities, so we thank all those who have helped during these early stages.
“Officers will remain at the scene today and for some time as investigations continue.
“If anyone has any information, we ask that you contact us, confidentially, using any of the methods below.”