The parole board is to meet next week to decide when farmer Tony Martin should be released from jail.

The Norfolk farmer could be released from Highpoint Prison in Suffolk soon after the meeting on 16 January, according to businessman Malcolm Starr.

Mr Starr, a supporter and friend of the farmer who was jailed for shooting dead teenage burglar Fred Barrass at his Norfolk farmhouse, said Mr Martin is keen to go abroad after the release.

As I understand it he intends to carry on his life prior to his conviction Peter Sainsbury, POW Trust

"I have seen a copy of the Parole Board letter," he said.

"It says the board is meeting on 16 January, they will make a decision and notify him within a few days.

"If the decision is negative his release date is 31 July.

"If the decision is positive then it will be between probation and the prison to organise his release shortly after the decision has been made."

Return home

Mr Starr said he expects Martin, 57, to be released at the end of January.

He said Martin wanted eventually to return to his farm in Emneth Hungate.

The POW Trust, a charity which helps the socially excluded and deprived will work with Martin on his release.

Its general secretary Peter Sainsbury said the charity would also help Martin fight the case against Brendon Fearon, the burglar injured during the break-in.

Mr Fearon is suing the farmer for compensation for loss of earnings.

Mr Sainsbury said: "As I understand it he intends to carry on his life prior to his conviction."

Parole soon

A spokeswoman for the Prison Service said: "We do not comment on individual prisoners or their parole dates."

Martin became eligible for parole in September.

In the summer he will be automatically eligible for release as he will have served two thirds of his sentence.

He was jailed for life in 2000 for murder after killing 16-year-old Fred Barras at his remote farm in 1999.

His sentence and conviction were reduced to five years for manslaughter last year.