Not a happy verdict. This happened in my family's part of the world - they're in the same business not too far away and have been burgled several times over the last five years. Firearms in the house is an entirely normal state of affairs in the Lincolnshire/Norfolk agricultural community and the first thing my father said to me in relation to this case was "There but for the grace of God...".
It was hardly surprising the trial took place some distance from the location of the event - no local jury would have convicted the defendant.