A Derbyshire farmer who shot dead a 19-year-old burglar at his remote farmhouse will face no criminal action, the Crown Prosecution Service has ruled, bringing to a close more than two years of bail and uncertainty for the homeowner.
Robert Lomas, in his 50s, was arrested on suspicion of murder after Marcus Smith was found dead at Mosley Hall Farm near Whaley Bridge in the early hours of May 2024. Police had been called to reports of a break-in when they discovered the teenager, a footballer who played for local club Chapel Town FC and was a former pupil at Chapel-en-le-Frith High School, suffering from a fatal gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
“Farmer Rob Lomas, who shot dead teenage burglar Marcus Smith in 2024, will not face charges after CPS rules he acted in self-defence.”
Lomas, who had been on bail since his arrest, has now been released with no further action. The CPS said he had discharged a legally held firearm when confronted with burglars in his home. Three men arrested for burglary at the same property remain on bail, and another 19-year-old man also suffered gunshot wounds that night before being found nearby and taken to hospital.
Janine McKinney, chief crown prosecutor for CPS East Midlands, said: 'After careful analysis of all the evidence gathered during the police investigation, our prosecutors have decided that there will be no criminal charges in relation to the death of Marcus Smith or the serious injury of another male. This decision has been made in accordance with our statutory legal tests as prosecutors and the law surrounding the householder's rights to defend themself. Our thoughts are with Mr Smith's family and loved ones.'
Smith's mother posted a photo of herself and her son on Facebook, which was flooded with condolence messages. Neighbours described the incident as a 'burglary that went wrong'. One said: 'The farm is in a remote location, quite deep in the valley and set back from the main road. I suspect it was an opportunistic burglary that has gone wrong.' Another added: 'Obviously, it's shocking when something like this happens on your doorstep. I've had people ringing me asking if I'm okay. This is normally a sleepy, little town.'
The burglary investigation remains ongoing, with Derbyshire Police confirming three men still on bail. The decision not to charge Lomas, who was originally arrested on suspicion of murder, ends a two-year legal ordeal for the farmer, but leaves unresolved questions for the family of the teenager who lost his life.
