Tony Martin believes he is needed at his farm

Martin, who is serving five years in Suffolk's Highpoint Prison for the manslaughter of 16-year-old Fred Barras from Newark, Nottinghamshire, had intended to go abroad.

But on Thursday friends of Martin, 54, said he had now decided he is needed back at his run-down farmhouse in Emneth Hungate, Norfolk.

There are fears for his safety; as death threats were issued against him following his conviction for shooting the burglar as he fled.

His legal team is launching a fresh bid for an early release at the High Court on Monday by seeking leave for a judicial review.

Murder conviction over-turned

He is currently due to be released on parole in July - a crucial time in the farming diary - after serving half of a five year prison sentence for the manslaughter of Mr Barras.

An original murder conviction was over-turned on appeal.

Friend and supporter Malcolm Starr said: "He's more determined than ever to get back on to his farm.

"At this time of year there will be a lot to do - he needs to prune his old apple trees that haven't been touched for three years and there is a lot of maintenance work around the farm to be done."