Fred Barras: Murdered during burglary

Both men were shot after breaking into Martin's isolated farmhouse, Bleak House, at Emneth Hungate, near Emneth, Norfolk.

The concern about possible intimidation was expressed by lawyers after a woman claiming to be a juror called a Norwich-based local radio phone-in, the day after the conviction.

The radio station, Broadland 102 FM, later said that the woman caller had not spoken of being "intimidated, pressured or nobbled".

But Martin's solicitor, Nick Makin, said he had since had "interesting" phone conversations with several jurors.

The lawyers say an appeal will be formally lodged by Friday, and it is important to "get to the bottom" of the allegations.

"We feel we have got plenty of other grounds for appeal but if there proves to be anything in these allegations of intimidation then that would no doubt play a part in any appeal," said Michael Ballinger, another member of Martin's legal team.