A farmer who was arrested after an alleged burglar was shot dead at his remote farmhouse will face no further criminal action, police have said. Robert Lomas was held on suspicion of murder after Marcus Smith, 19, was gunned down at the property in Whaley Bridge, Derbyshire, on May 1, 2024.
The teenager, from Chapel-en-le-Frith, was pronounced dead at the scene at Mosley Hall Farm as a result of a fatal gunshot wound. Mr Lomas was arrested and has remained on bail for 26 months, waiting to hear whether he would be charged with murder.
Derbyshire Police confirmed on Tuesday (July 14) that he had been released without any further action.
The force said they had passed a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service which, after review, decided no charges would be brought in relation to Mr Smith’s death. Mr Lomas has now been released from bail.
Another 19-year-old suffered gunshot wounds and was treated for his injuries in hospital.
Mr Smith played for local football club Chapel Town and was a DJ at his local pub. He is believed to have been a former pupil at Chapel-en-le-Frith High School.
At the time, Mr Lomas’s son set up a fundraiser to help support his family which raised over £60,000.
Janine McKinney, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS East Midlands, told the Telegraph that after careful analysis of all the evidence prosecutors decided there will be no criminal charges.
She added: “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.”
Three men arrested in relation to burglary at the same property remain on bail, according to Derbyshire Police.