AIRGUN VIOLENCE
GCN compiles
an on-going list of incidents involving
airguns.
Airguns do not require a license in the UK and are thus responsible for a
large percentage of gun violence in England, Scotland and Wales. In fact,
Derbyshire police estimate
70 percent of gun crime in their county is
attributable to airgun or BB guns.
Many gun crime incidents are reported by newspapers as involving
imitation guns or unknown weapons. The
former term may be mistakenly used when air weapons are to blame, while
'unknown weapons' are frequently air weapons since, again, airguns do not
require a license and are thus easier to obtain than other lethal firearms.
For more, please see our explanation of
why
we highlight incidents involving air weapons.
We know that our information
is incomplete. The number of incidents in our lists is between 10
and 15 percent of the total number of firearms offences recorded in Home
Office and Scottish Government figures, though we believe nearly all of
the most serious crimes are being included. Your help in collecting more
information would be greatly appreciated. If you have any information
about an incident please contact us by email
contact@gun-control-network.org.
Airgun
Violence in England, Scotland and Wales
Lists of Airgun Incidents:
2008
2009
2010
2011
Click for quick jump to incidents involving:
Deaths
See Airgun Deaths
page
Injuries
ENGLAND
The Telegraph,
7 June 2013
Firearms
officers were deployed after reports that a man had fired a gun in the
garden of a property in Thurmaston, Leicestershire. Police found
that the man had locked himself inside the house and a stand-off
followed in which officers were reportedly fired at with an
air rifle. The 37-year-old left the
property after 10 hours and was arrested on suspicion of making threats
to kill, after receiving treatment for minor injuries.
Wigan
Today,
8 May 2013
A woman
was shot in the hand with an air rifle
in a drive-by shooting near her home in Ashton-in-Makerfield,
Greater Manchester. The vehicle sped off and she was left with a wound
to her hand and a suspected fracture of the knuckle in her thumb.
London 24, 26 April 2013
An
air rifle has reportedly been fired at
four moving trains near Finsbury Park, east London. One of the
shots allegedly injured a passenger when it smashed through a window, and
the service was also disrupted during the evening rush hour.
The Bolton News, 15 April 2013
A man has
been shot in the stomach with a suspected
airgun pellet in Bolton, Greater Manchester. He
reported to hospital after discovering the pellet had lodged in his
abdomen and was treated for minor injuries.
Lancashire Telegraph, 4 April 2013
Three
people have been injured after they were shot at with an
air rifle on a street in Blackburn,
Lancashire. They were left with pellet marks and bruising but did
not require hospital treatment.
The Northern
Echo, 25 March 2013
A
seven-year-old girl and a 52-year-old man have been shot with an
air rifle on a street in Spennymoor,
County Durham. The child was hit in the stomach while playing
outside and the man was hit on the elbow while working on his car. Both
suffered bruising and were shaken by the attack.
Kent Online,
12 March 2013
Three
people have been fired at with an airgun
in two separate shootings on a public pathway in Sittingbourne,
Kent. A young man was hit in the hip as he was jogging and required
a minor operation to remove the pellet. A couple were later shot at,
leaving one victim with a wound in his arm and a pellet embedded in his
jacket.
The Northern
Echo, 18 February 2013
A woman
was shot with an air rifle as she
walked her dog in Darlington, County Durham. The 20-year-old
victim had to have the pellet removed in hospital and required five
stitches.
Derbyshire
Telegraph, 5 February 2013
A man has
been shot in the back with an airgun
in Bretby, Derbyshire. The 24-year-old was fired at by the
passenger of a car that drove up beside him while he was walking in the
village.
Hemel Gazette, 30 November 2012
An
employee was shot in the face with an airgun
at an off-licence in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire. The
shooter escaped with alcohol but a man was later arrested and charged
with the robbery. The victim required an operation to remove pellets
that were lodged in his face.
The Journal, 28 November 2012
A man has
been shot in the back with an air rifle
on a road in Ashington, Northumberland. He was hit while
walking in the town and went to hospital where the pellet was removed.
Police have appealed for information.
Oxford Mail,
24 October
2012
A man in
his 40s has reportedly shot himself in the head with an
airgun after he was confronted by police who were
investigating reports of shoplifting at a petrol station near Didcot,
Oxfordshire. He was taken to hospital where he is said to be in
"stable condition". The case has been referred to the Independent Police
Complaints Commission.
London Evening Standard,
18 October
2012
At least
one person has been injured after airgun
pellets were fired at vehicles travelling along the M20 in Kent.
The back passenger window of one car was smashed and the door of another
vehicle was dented. The driver of a third car sustained injuries to his
face and arm from a shower of glass after a pellet shattered his front
passenger window, and he was forced to pull off the motorway. Police
issued a warning to motorists and have begun an investigation.
MK News,
16 September
2012
Three men have
allegedly been shot in the legs in Milton Keynes,
Buckinghamshire. The Deputy Commander of the police area reported that
the "men suffered minor injuries from what we believe to be an
air weapon or
BB gun" and appealed for information.
Shropshire Star,
15
September 2012
A 55-year old
construction worker has been shot in the arm with an
airgun while operating a digger in
Telford, Shropshire. The weapon was allegedly fired multiple times
in the area and police have appealed for information. The man received
hospital treatment to remove the pellet.
The Sentinel,
5 September
2012
A
19-year-old man has been shot in the eye with an
air rifle in an incident a house in
Alsager, Staffordshire. A man was arrested on suspicion of assault,
and an 18-year-old man and a woman were arrested on suspicion of
perverting the course of justice by removing the firearm. All three were
later bailed but the victim was reported to still be in 'critical
condition'.
Daily Express, 24 August 2012
A 12-year-old boy
was allegedly shot in the head, back and leg with an
airgun by 7 teenagers who attacked him
in a park in Bexley Village, south London. The boy's father later
took one of the perpetrators to the police station, but was himself
arrested after the teenager complained about him and his keys were
mistaken for a knife. The victim reportedly suffered a head wound
and recurring headaches. Two of the teenagers were arrested and
bailed.
BBC News, 22 August 2012
A man has been
shot with an air rifle in the garden
of his home in Redditch, Worcestershire. Police have arrested a
17-year-old girl and a 28-year-old man on suspicion of wounding and
seized an air weapon. The man received hospital treatment for minor
pellet injuries.
This is Sussex,
14 August
2012
A man has
been shot in the face with an airgun
by four armed robbers who stole his van. The group reportedly
drove their car at the victim and shot him in the face when he
confronted them outside his home Rye, Sussex where his vehicle
was parked. He is being treated for his injuries but may lose his
sight in one eye. Police recovered the van which had been
abandoned shortly after it was stolen.
North West Evening News,
10
August 2012
A 19-year-old has
been shot in the arm with an airgun
in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria. The man was hospitalised for
a wound in his right bicep caused by the pellet, but has been
discharged.
Daily Gazette,
27 July 2012
A bin man has
been shot in the face with what is believed to be an
airgun in Halstead, Essex.
Armed police recovered the suspected weapon from a house in Braintree
and later arrested a suspect in the town. The 29-year-old was charged
with possession of an imitation
firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, causing actual bodily
harm, dangerous driving and possession of cannabis.
BBC News,
23 July 2012
A 15-year-old
girl was shot in the back with an airgun
in the garden of a house in Gloucester. The the pellet
caused her lung to collapse and she required hospital treatment.
Police arrested a 16-year-old boy known to the girl and seized the
weapon. He was bailed, but remains in custody for separate reasons.
Kent Online,
5 July 2012
A
39-year-old man was shot with what is believed to be an
airgun while cycling in Appledore,
Kent. A white van appeared to slow down as it drove towards the victim
before the male driver shot him in the arm. He suffered minor injuries
and was shaken by the incident.
BBC News,
4 July 2012
A
18-year-old motorcyclist was shot with an
airgun in Little Bentley, Essex. He reported to
hospital after having a light shone at him and feeling a sharp pain in
his lower back while riding his vehicle. He had an operation to remove
the pellet from near his spine but has not been able to walk properly
since the shooting and will require tests to check for nerve damage.
Birmingham Mail,
21 June 2012
A
four-year-old boy in Warwickshire was shot in the face with an
airgun. He was treated in hospital
where a pellet was removed from his chin, and a 17-year-old man was
arrested on suspicion of carrying out the shooting.
Hartlepool Mail,
13 June 2012
An elderly
woman was shot in the face with an airgun
in Hartlepool, Co. Durham. Police said the victim was shot with a
pellet that struck close to her eye. Officers suspect a group of three
youths around 13 years old are responsible after the victim reported
seeing them hiding in the bushes with what looked like a firearm.
This is Surrey Today,
29 May 2012
A
motorcyclist has been shot by what is believed to have been an
airgun. The man was getting on
his motorcycle in Walton on Thames, Surrey when he was hit on the
helmet and in the groin. He was treated in hospital for minor
injuries. Police have appealed for witnesses to come forward.
Winsford Guardian,
28 May 2012
A
teenage girl has been shot in the leg with an air rifle whilst walking
with a friend down a footpath in Winsford, Cheshire. The girl
required hospital treatment and police have appealed for information.
The Journal,
24 May 2012
A
motorcyclist in Newcastle, Tyne and Wear has sustained minor
injuries after being shot with what police believe to have been an
airgun pellet.
Mirror,
11 May 2012
A
13-year-old boy from Wigan, Lancashire was shot in the face by a
sniper with an airgun whilst out
walking with friends. The boy underwent a three hour operation for
severe nerve damage. It is not yet known if he will regain full
movement in his face.
Belfast Telegraph,
8 May 2012
A man was
shot with an air rifle then beaten
during an incident in Leeds, West Yorkshire. He was treated
in hospital for head injuries.
Huddersfield Daily Examiner,
1 May
2012
A 22 year
old man is being treated for serious head injuries following an alleged
air rifle shooting in
Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. A 31 year old man and a 16 year old
youth have been arrested.
eadt.co.uk,
1 May
2012
A person
was shot in the leg as they walked down an alley in Newmarket,
Gloucestershire. Police believe the minor wound could have been caused by an
air rifle pellet.
BBC News,
24 April
2012
A
47-year-old man was shot with an air gun
in Virginia Water, Surrey. The victim reportedly sustained
minor injuries after being shot in the head and the back. Police
arrested two 17-year-old boys on suspicion of carrying out the shooting.
Hartlepool Mail,
24 April
2012
A
28-year-old man was shot in the leg with an air
rifle in Hartlepool, County Durham. The man reported
hearing several shots fired prior to being hit, and he required hospital
treatment after a pellet was lodged in his leg.
Your Local Guardian,
23 April
2012
A
49-year-old woman was shot with an air rifle
in Wallington, south London. She was reportedly standing at a
junction with her husband when she was shot from someone in a passing
vehicle. The victim was treated in hospital and released.
Huddersfield Daily Examiner,
18 April
2012
A police
officer was shot with an air rifle
in Elland, West Yorkshire. The officer suffered non-severe
injuries, and police charged a man with possessing an air weapon with
intent to cause fear of violence, resisting arrest and possessing
controlled drugs.
Nottingham Post,
17 April
2012
A
17-year-old boy and a 36-year-old woman were shot outside a hotel in
Nottingham before being treated in hospital. Police said they could
not confirm the weapon used, but received reports from hotel staff that
the victims were shot with an airgun.
Wirral News,
14 April
2012
A man was
shot with an airgun in the leg and
back as well as being clubbed with the weapon in Prenton,
Merseyside. Police said they arrested a man on suspicion of assault
following the incident. The victim was treated in hospital for his
injuries and released.
Nottingham Post,
13 April
2012
A man was
shot in the face with an air pistol
on the grounds of a church in Misterton, Nottinghamshire. The
victim will have to undergo surgery to remove a pellet that is lodged
behind his eye. Police recovered the weapon and arrested a suspect and
charged him with possession of a firearm with intent to commit an
indictable offence and wounding.
Chorley Guardian,
4 April 2012
Two
victims were shot by air rifles in
apparently unconnected attacks in Chorley, Lancashire. An
8-year-old girl was shot in the chest by her 10-year-old brother, while
a man was also shot in the chest while mowing his lawn. Both victims had
pellets lodged in their chests and were taken to hospital for treatment.
Shields Gazette,
2 April 2012
Five
teenagers were arrested after allegedly carrying out two
airgun attacks in South Shields,
Tyne and Wear. A 15-year-old boy was shot with a pellet and treated in
hospital for a suspected broken finger. An hour after that attack, a
group of young people were threatened with an air rifle in an attempted
robbery. They reportedly fled and were shot, incurring minor injuries.
In addition to arresting the five teenagers on suspicion of robbery,
police recovered an air weapon.
Cornish Guardian,
31 March
2012
A man was
shot in the head with an airgun in
Lostwithiel, Cornwall. Police said the victim was shot with an
air pistol that was recovered, and he was taken to hospital where he was
held in a 'serious and sedated condition'.
BBC News,
28 March
2012
A man was
shot with an air rifle while working
up a church tower in Ipswich, Suffolk. The victim was reportedly
hit in the back of the head and treated in hospital, while the weapon
and offender were not located.
This is Hull and East Riding,
8 March 2012
A man was
shot in the face by an air rifle in
Hull. The victim, who was on his regular shift emptying bins for
Hull City Council, was shot by someone believed to be in a nearby
building. Police said they arrested one man while another suspect fled.
Initial reports indicated the victim was hit in the eye, but as the
pellet struck just outside his eye the injury was less severe (This
is Hull and East Riding, 10 March 2012).
Paisley Daily Express,
2 March 2012
A woman
was taken to hospital after she was shot in the head in Paisley,
Renfrewshire. She was apparently shot after stumbling across two people
in an argument, and it is believed that an
airgun was used to shoot her at close range.
Dorset Echo,
21 February 2012
A teenage
boy was shot in the arm with an air rifle
in Weymouth, Dorset. The gunman was reportedly seen aiming his
rifle at people from a flat before the gun was fired. Police have
arrested two men in connection with the attack.
Northern Echo, 13 January 2012
A teenager
was shot twice with an air rifle in
Bishop Auckland, County Durham. The shooter fired from an open
window in a car and struck the victim in the chest, then again in the
back as he fell to the ground. The vehicle then drove away.
Gloucestershire Echo,
9 November
2011
A woman
was shot in the leg with an air rifle
while walking her dog in Cheltenham. She was taken to
hospital to have the pellet removed. Police said children aged 13 to 14
were spotted in the area around the time of the attack.
Hartlepool Mail, 22 October 2011
A woman
was shot by an airgun as she walked through the town centre in
Hartlepool. The victim was hit in the leg as the pellet caused
blood to soak down her leg. After receiving hospital treatment she was
reportedly cleared of lasting physical damage but said she now fears to
walk around the town.
This is Scunthorpe, 10 October 2011
A woman
was shot in the leg by what was thought to be an
air rifle pellet in Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire.
She was left with a wound that required hospital treatment.
Heart, 9 October 2011
A
12-year-old boy was shot in the elbow with an
airgun in Norwich. The boy required hospital
treatment for the injury, which police believe may have been connected
to attacks on two vehicles. The window of a bus was smashed, and a
window on a van was also struck, causing shards of glass to injure the
driver.
Wigan Today, 16 September 2011
A
76-year-old woman was shot with an airgun
while walking her dog in Wigan. Police have reportedly seized an
air pistol in their investigation, and the woman has recovered after the
pellet hit her stomach.
Bury Focus,
2 August 2011
A
15-year-old girl was shot in the eye by an
airgun in Bury. She was taken to hospital where it was
confirmed she has lost sight in her eye. A 17-year-old boy has been
arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
BBC News,
15 July 2011
Someone
shot an air rifle at cars and people
in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, hitting one member of the public
in the leg. Police said the victim was not seriously injured. They
arrested three men, aged 19, 21 and 22, on suspicion of their
involvement.
Lancashire Telegraph, 13 July 2011
A
22-year-old man was shot in the abdomen with an
air pistol in Altham, Lancashire. Police said he
sustained minor injuries and was treated in hospital.
Manchester Evening News,
7 July 2011
A woman
was shot in the ear with an airgun
as she walked her dogs in a park in Newall Green, Manchester. The
victim had the pellet surgically removed.
Daily Gazette,
2 July 2011
A
13-year-old boy was shot in the legs with an
air rifle in Essex. Police saw two men flee after
leaving the weapon at the scene. The boy was taken to hospital.
SCOTLAND
Daily
Record
and Sunday Mail, 5 June 2013
A builder
has been shot in the arm with an airgun
while working on a railway construction site in Galashiels,
Roxburgh, Ettrick and Lauderdale. He was treated in hospital for
a minor injury and police have appealed for information
Daily Record,
7 May 2013
A man was
shot in the stomach with an airgun
as he was on his way home in the centre of Perth. He was taken to
hospital but doctors were unable to move the half-inch pellet as the
wound was too deep in his abdomen.
The Courier,
8 May 2013
A man has
allegedly been shot in the abdomen with an
airgun outside a pub in Perth, and another
assault with an air pistol was
reported to have taken place in Glenrothes, Fife. The first
victim was left with an airgun pellet embedded in his stomach. An airgun
club in the region has nonetheless pledged to resist tighter controls on
the use of air weapons, claiming that planned measures will penalise
law-abiding airgun shooters and that "licensing is not going to stop
this sort of thing from happening."
STV, 22
February
2013
A
construction worker was shot with an an air rifle while
working on the roof of a primary school in Glasgow. Pupils and
staff were kept inside while police searched for the shooter, but no
arrests were reported.
STV,
20 September
2012
A 29-year-old man
has reportedly been shot in the head with an
airgun in Rosemarkie, Ross and Cromarty. He was been
treated for his injuries in two different hospitals and reported to be
critically ill. A 17-year-old is said to have been reported to the
procurator fiscal for prosecution.
Daily Record,
25 April
2012
A
20-year-old man was shot by someone with an airgun in Banknock, near Falkirk. The victim reportedly
recovered following hospital treatment.
Rutherglen Reformer,
21 September 2011
A man in
Rutherglen, Glasgow was shot in the cheek and twice on the hand
by what is believed to have been a high-powered
air pistol. The incident reportedly occurred when the
gunman threatened the victim's girlfriend at her home. The victim
attempted to grab the gun and was wounded after three shots were fired.
Herald Scotland,
12 July 2011
A
20-year-old man was shot with an airgun
in Glasgow. The man was reportedly walking his dog
in a busy park when another man leapt from the bushes and shot him in
the arm and leg. The victim was treated in hospital.
WALES
News Wales, 21 August 2012
A 52-year-old man
has been injured with an airgun while walking along a path in
Rhymney, Caerphilly. He was shot in the arm with a pointed pellet
but did not need to go to hospital. Police have appealed for
information.
The Missing List,
16 January 2012
A
12-year-old boy was shot in the eye by an
airgun in Newport. He was taken to hospital for
surgery to remove the pellet, and could lose sight in the eye
permanently.
Threatening Behaviour
ENGLAND
BBC News,
10
June 2013
Two
members of the public approached a man carrying an
airgun on a main street in
Horley, Surrey. Police were called and they seized the weapon and
arrested the 30-year-old, who has been charged with possessing an air
weapon in a public place.
This is
Local
London, 5 June 2013
Firearms
officers were deployed after reports of a man shooting an illegal
air weapon in the garden of his home in
Chingford, east London. The gun allegedly exceeded the “legal
muzzle-energy limit” for airguns, having enough power to penetrate skin,
and the man reportedly fired the gun at police in an attempt to resist
arrest.
The Argus,
9 May 2013
Police
arrested four men and a woman on suspicion of affray and possession of
imitation firearms in a public place
after they were called to reports of a fight on a street in Brighton,
Sussex. Officers confiscated a BB gun
and an air rifle. No one was
reported to have been injured.
Basildon
Recorder,
4 May 2013
A man was
almost shot in the head with an air rifle
when shots were fired into his garden and that of his neighbour
while he was moving the lawn of his home in Basildon, Essex. The
police in the county issued a warning to remind the public that it "is a
criminal offence to fire an air weapon beyond the boundary of your
property."
Northampton Herald & Post, 22 April 2013
A man has
been arrested and charged with suspected affray, assault and possession
of an air rifle at a park in
Northampton. The 26-year-old was arrested after a firearms incident
in which he was detained by a member of the public before police arrived
at the scene.
Liverpool
Echo, 13 April 2013
Armed
officers were dispatched after reports that a man with a gun had entered
a house on a street in Southport, Merseyside. Police arrested
three men on suspicion of possessing an air
rifle in a public place and confiscated the weapon.
Docklands
& East London Advertiser, 11 April 2013
A
17-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of firing an
airgun at residents on a street in
Limehouse, east London. A pellet narrowly missed the head of one
victim, who was shot at while getting out of his car. The teenager was
arrested after the victim called police to the scene and he dropped the
weapon from the window. The weapon was seized and he was released with a
caution.
Times
&
Star,
6 April 2013
An
airgun is reported to have been
brandished during an disturbance in Carlisle, Cumbria. Police
have arrested three men and recovered an air weapon.
North
Devon
Journal, 7 March 2013
A former
town councillor has been arrested four times and made to move out of his
home after firing an airgun at his
neighbour's house and being aggressive and threatening towards other
residents on a warden-controlled estate in Penwortham,
Lancashire. The 74-year-old has already served a four-month curfew and a
ban on walking past his neighbour's house that he was given in a
previous hearing
regarding his antisocial behaviour.
Blackpool
Gazette, 22 February 2013
A
49-year-old man has been charged with possessing an
air rifle while prohibited from having
a firearm, illegal possessing amphetamine, and with repeatedly banging a
door against a police officer at his home in Fleetwood,
Lancashire. He was arrested during an incident in which residents were
evacuated from surrounding properties by a bomb disposal team after
suspicious items were found at a number of addresses in the area.
BBC News,
20 February 2013
Armed
police were dispatched after reports of a man with a gun in
Bournemouth, Dorset. Police recovered an
air weapon and arrested two men on suspicion of possessing a
firearm.
The Northern
Echo, 14 February 2013
A man
wearing camouflage allegedly took an air rifle
out of its case near a primary school in Peterlee, County Durham.
Armed officers were deployed but neither the man nor his weapon were
located.
This is
Wiltshire,
1 February 2013
Firearms
officers were despatched after a man with an
air rifle was seen walking in Trowbridge, Wiltshire.
The suspect was detained but no weapons were found and no threats were
reported.
Boston
Standard,
30 January 2013
Firearms
officers were dispatched after receiving reports of two people firing a
gun in a park in Boston, Lincolnshire. Police unsuccessfully
searched the area and reported to have been looking for two teenagers
with an air rifle who they believed
to have fled the scene.
Hartlepool
Mail, 28 January 2013
An
air rifle was allegedly brandished
during an incident outside a residential property in Seaton Carew,
County Durham. Police arrested a man at the scene on suspicion of
possessing an air weapon with intent to cause fear of violence.
East Anglian
Daily Times, 9 January 2013
A
41-year-old man has been arrested for wasting police time after he was
suspected to have falsely reported being shot with
air rifle pellets at a property in
Little Cornard, Suffolk. He is also suspected of causing criminal
damage and attempting arson.
BBC News, 26 November 2012
A 31-year-old man
has been charged with possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear
of violence in Bodmin, Cornwall. He was arrested after a member
of the public reported to police that someone had been threatened with
an airgun in the town.
Maldon and Burnham Standard, 21 November 2012
The window
of a home in Burnham, Buckinghamshire was shot with an
airgun while the homeowner was inside.
The 65-year-old resident claimed that a group of people had entered his
back garden, shouting and swearing, before shooting and damaging a
window close to where the victim was sat.
Lynn News, 6 November 2012
At least six
shots have been fired from an airgun
at a Royal British Legion club in Snettisham, Norfolk. Two
double-glazed windows were shattered but no one was injured. The windows
of a vehicle in the town were also smashed in what is believed to have
been an airgun attack.
Cornish Guardian,
19 October
2012
Armed
police were despatched after an altercation between a landowner and
three men who were allegedly using air rifles
to illegally shoot rabbits on Bodmin Moor, Cornwall. Police
reported that the trio were verbally abusive to the landowner when he
requested that they refrain from shooting, and had to deal with a
67-year-old man after the incident.
The Shields Gazette,
17 October
2012
A woman
has allegedly been assaulted and had her mobile phone stolen by a man
with an air rifle at a flat in
South Shields, Tyne and Wear. Police who responded to a call from
the victim arrested the male tenant and later seized an air rifle from
the property.
Hull Daily Mail,
16 October
2012
Shots were
fired at the windows of a Sikh temple in Hull, East Yorkshire.
Two young teenagers armed with an air pistol
are alleged to have been seen in the vicinity when the
windows were shattered, and to have fired a shot at the door of the
temple before escaping on foot.
The Star,
5 October 2012
Pupils
were kept inside at the end of the school day in Treeton, South
Yorkshire after shots were fired in a garden next to the entrance.
Police were called to deal with the shooter and recovered an
airgun from the scene.
Nottingham Post,
5 October 2012
Officers were called after shots were
heard in Old Basford and Bulwell, Nottinghamshire and they arrested three men
in connection with the first incident. An
airgun is thought to have been used in one of the incidents.
Hull Daily Mail,
2 October 2012
A
29-year-old man has been arrested after a five-hour stand-off with armed
officers at his home in Hull, East Yorkshire. Police went to the
property after reports that he had a gun raised concerns for his safety.
He is believed to have been threatening to shoot himself in the head
with an airgun.
BBC News,
26 September
2012
A man has been
arrested after allegedly brandishing an air rifle
during a domestic incident at his home in Plympton, Devon. Police
were called after the man's mother reported that he was ransacking the
property and had a "long-barrelled firearm". During negotiations at least
four shots were said to have been fired and a TV and microwave thrown at
officers, but no was injured.
News & Star,
18
September 2012
A 52-year-old man
was arrested by police after they received reports of a man with a gun
who had threatened construction workers near his home in Whitehaven,
Cumbria. Armed officers found an air rifle
at the scene.
Western Gazette,
6 September
2012
An
airgun was fired into the garden of a
home in Yeovil, Dorset and hit the trampoline on which two young
boys were playing. The boys were uninjured and police are investigating.
Hampshire Chronicle,
26 August
2012
Elderly
and vulnerable people have been assaulted and subject to repeated acts
of vandalism at their homes in Alresford, Hampshire. A
100-year-old man had his windows shot at with an
airgun on 4 separate occasions. A man with mental health
problems also had a window shot at, and has suffered insults, had his
house pelted with food and rubbish, and been punched in the back.
Eastbourne Herald,
22 August
2012
An armed man has
been arrested after a 6-hour stand off with armed police in
Eastbourne, East Sussex. Officers responded to reports of man who
had made death threats found him locked in his house in with an
air rifle. He was arrested after
negotiations in what police have said was isolated incident.
News & Star,
21 August
2012
A man has been
arrested after an alleged incident involving a gun at a takeaway in
Egremont, Cumbria. He is charged with possession of an
air weapon with intent to cause fear
of unlawful violence and for doing so when he was banned from possessing
a gun, and also of assault; racially-aggravated common assault; theft of
a £500 mobile phone; and £700 of damage to a car.
The Sentinel,
30 July 2012
A
20-year-old man has been arrested after he allegedly threatened a member
of his family with an airgun at a
house in Kidsgrove, Staffordshire. He fled the property but was
arrested nearby by armed police responding to reports of a man
brandishing a gun. Police reported that an air rifle was been found but
had not been fired.
News Guardian,
25 July 2012
A 28-year-old man
has been arrested on suspicion of possessing an
imitation firearm outside a house in
North Shields, Tyne and Wear. Firearms officers recovered an
air weapon from the property after
receiving reports of a man with a gun.
Braintree & Witham Times,
13 July 2012
A man was
threatened with an air rifle in a
street in Leavenheath, Essex. Police recovered the weapon from
the scene and arrested four people - three men and a woman - who have
been bailed.
Warrington Guardian,
27 June 2012
A primary
school student brandished an airgun
at a school in Warrington, Cheshire. The pupil reportedly showed
the firearm and an ammunition round to other children before the weapon
was taken from him. Police said the gun was not capable of being fired.
Scotsman,
12 June 2012
Police
arrested a man in Livingston and charged him with possessing an
air rifle with a telescopic sight
and a silencer in public. The suspect was also charged with trespassing,
behaving in a threatening and abusive manner and drink driving both in a
car and on a motorcycle.
Bournemouth Echo,
31 May 2012
Armed
police were deployed following reports of a man with a gun in a street
in Bournemouth, Dorset. A witness thought the weapon could have
been an air rifle. A man was later
arrested.
Boston Standard,
11 May 2012
Armed
officers were called to a domestic altercation in Boston,
Lincolnshire. Police arrested a man who was in possession of an
air rifle. The man was
subsequently sectioned and is receiving treatment.
Heart,
3 May 2012
A
23-year-old man has been arrested following an incident in Bury St.
Edmunds Suffolk. He has been charged with possession of a
firearm when prohibited, possession of an air
weapon with intent to cause fear of violence, and possession
of a bladed/pointed article in a public place.
Bourne Local,
27
March 2012
Karl
Taylor, 26, and Ashley Sorby, 22 have been jailed for eight years each
after attacking a man in Hartlepool, County Durham. The pair held
an unloaded air rifle to the
victim's head and pulled the trigger, in addition to a series of other
acts of torture. The perpetrators admitted grievous bodily harm and
false imprisonment of the victim, an autistic man who required hospital
treatment after the vicious assault.
Salisbury Journal,
23 April
2012
Police
seized an air rifle after an
attempted robbery reportedly took place in Salisbury, Wiltshire.
Two men were arrested, one on suspicion of attempted robbery and the
other for perverting the course of justice.
Evening Chronicle,
17
March 2012
Joe
Foster, 20, has been jailed for one year after threatening council
officers with an air pistol in
Throckley, Tyne and Wear. Foster pointed the gun at the three
victims from close range after they discovered a cannabis plant in his
garden, and he then fled with the plant before being captured by police.
He pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of
violence.
Evening Telegraph,
29 February
2012
Four
teenagers were caught with air rifles
after sparking a police helicopter search in Rothwell,
West Yorkshire. The youths, aged 15 and 16, were arrested and referred
to the youth justice team.
BBC News,
28 January
2012
Police
swooped to arrest a man reported to be brandishing a gun at a County
Durham pub. Officers recovered a firearm believed to be an
airgun, and arrested a man on
suspicion of possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of
violence.
Bury Free Press,
28 January
2012
An
air rifle was stolen from a home in
Rickinghall, Suffolk. Five men armed with knives reportedly
invaded an occupied home and stole the firearm, cash, a laptop and
fishing equipment.
Mirror,
27 January
2012
Someone
sent Queens Park Rangers footballer Anton Ferdinand a package containing
a high-calibre airgun pellet along
with a hateful letter. Ferdinand has been subjected to various racist
threats and hate mail while playing for the west London club.
Northern Echo,
27 January
2012
A firearms
incident reportedly took place outside a pub in Hetton-le-Hole,
Tyne and Wear. Police arrested a man on suspicion of possessing a
firearm with intent to cause fear or alarm and recovered an item
believed to be an airgun.
The Argus,
19 January
2012
Police
detained a man brandishing a firearm in St Leonards, East Sussex.
After members of the public reporting seeing a gunman, armed officers
swooped and arrested the suspect on suspicion of possessing an
airgun.
Manchester Evening News,
17
January 2012
A man
threatened staff at a chemists in Saddleworth, Manchester with an
air rifle, demanding they give him
drugs for which he had no prescription. After leaving the pharmacy, the
gunman was followed by a customer until he fired two shots at his
pursuer. Police captured the suspect in a home shortly thereafter and
arrested him on suspicion of robbery. Officers also reportedly recovered
three guns and a machete.
Portsmouth Echo,
22 November
2011
Someone
reportedly shot an airgun pellet
through an office window in Gosport, Hampshire. A staff member at
the office was alarmed and hit by glass shards as a result of the
pellet's impact.
Sunday Sun,
16 November
2011
Police
were called in Northumberland when members of the public reported
a man brandishing a gun in a home. Officers arrested the suspect on
suspicion of possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear or violence,
and they recovered an air weapon
from the home.
Oxford Mail, 20 October 2011
A group of
teenagers shot at a home in Witney, Oxfordshire in an
attack apparently fuelled by homophobia. The five boys who targeted the
house reportedly shattered the glass patio door with an
airgun, shouting homophobic slurs
at the male couple who live there.
Peterborough Today, 6 October 2011
A woman in
Peterborough was allegedly shot at by an
air rifle or BB gun. A
man in the same neighbourhood reported that BB guns had been shot at
people and cars 'over the last six months'. The incidents are apparently
part of an ongoing conflict between families in the neighbourhood.
Manchester Evening News, 23 September 2011
A teenage
boy caused panic in Miles Platting, Manchester when he fired an
air rifle. He reportedly walked into
a gym class and fired the gun above his head. The teen was arrested on
suspicion of possessing an imitation firearm after police recovered the
weapon.
Burton Mail, 20 September 2011
Stray
pellets from an air rifle fell
around customers at a car dealership in Burton, Staffordshire.
Police confiscated the weapon after members of the public reportedly ran
for cover when they heard the gun shots. No one was reported sustaining
physical injuries.
Leicester Mercury,
29 July 2011
Two groups
of men broke out in a fight in Leicester, with one group
reported to have been armed with air rifles.
No arrests were made as the group alleged to have air weapons fled.
SCOTLAND
The
Scotsman,
22
April 2013
Hockey
players were shot at with airgun and
BB gun pellets while playing a match
at a sports park in Aberdeen. Three players were hit with pellets
and allegedly had abuse shouted at them by children from a nearby
travellers' camp. The match had to be abandoned.
News and Star,
7 August
2012
A man allegedly
fired a .22 calibre air rifle
multiple times in Gretna, Dumfries and Galloway. He has
been accused in court of recklessly firing the air weapon from a parked
van and of being in possession of a loaded weapon without lawful
authority or excuse at an industrial estate in the town.
WALES
Daily
Post, 30 October 2012
An employee
was threatened by a man with an air rifle
in an armed robbery of a shop in Wrexham, Clwyd. The assailant
threatened to kill the staff
member, but the victim did not hand over any money and the attacker fled
with bottles of alcohol. Police arrested a 20-year-old soldier, who had
been absent without leave, on suspicion of robbery.
Wales Online,
25 August
2012
A high-powered
airgun has allegedly been fired at the
window of a pub in Rhyl, Denbighshire. Two pellets came within
inches of hitting a 50-year-old female member of staff in the head.
BBC News,
11 June 2012
Police
received reports that a man fired an air rifle
from the roof of a property in Wrexham. No one was reported
injured as a result of the incident and initial attempts to locate the
suspect were unsuccessful.
BBC News,
8 April 2012
Police
were called to a house in Flintshire after a man was reportedly
refusing to leave and in possession of an
airgun. Officers said the man was taken into question over
allegations of assault an possession of a firearm with intent to commit
violence.
South Wales Evening Post,
26 March 2012
Three
youths were reportedly spotted firing an air
rifle in Neath. The teenagers allegedly fired the gun
at birds in a public park, prompting a member of the public to contact
police.
Shropshire Star,
28 July 2011
Two men
working on floodlights for a football club in Dfed-Powys, Wales
were allegedly shot at by an air rifle.
A 16-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of discharging a firearm.
Shots
Fired at Vehicles & Trains
ENGLAND
North-West Evening Mail, 24 April 2013
The
windows of a bus were shattered by airgun
pellets when it was fired at while carrying passengers on a bingo
outing back to Millom, Cumbria. No one was injured by the two shots but
the passengers were left shaken by the shooting.
Nottingham
Post,
16 April 2013
A small
amount of cannabis and an air pistol
have been recovered during police raids on properties in Nottingham.
The searches were part of a wider operation to tackle drug dealing,
guns and gang activity in the city.
The Northern
Echo, 8 April 2013
A lorry
was hit with an airgun pellet at it
was being driven along a main road near Bishop Auckland, County
Durham. The driver was left shaken but uninjured by the shooting. A
police spokesperson issued a statement “to remind members of the public
that it is illegal to carry a loaded air weapon in a public place and it
is illegal to fire an air weapon within 15 metres of a road or street.”
Islington
Tribune, 8 March 2013
The
windows of two ambulances belonging to a charity have been shot out with
an airgun for the second time in six
months in Finsbury, east London. The charity has had to cut
visits and transport for the elderly while the ambulances are repaired
and a volunteer has criticised the police for not doing enough to find
the culprit, who is believed to reside in a block of flats in the area.
Get Reading,
4 March 2013
A
19-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage,
possessing an air rifle and driving a vehicle while in a dangerous
condition in Berkshire. He is believed to have broken the window
of a vehicle using the air rifle
and also to have been involved in an incident at a garage in the county.
Kingston Guardian,
5 October 2012
A night
bus was shot at with an airgun while
on route in New Malden, south London. The pellets shattered a
window and door and left passengers without a means of transportation.
It is not known whether the incident is related to a drive-by shooting
which damaged cars in the area a few days earlier.
Kingston Guardian,
3 October 2012
The
windows of two cars parked in a residential area of New Malden,
south London were shattered with a suspected airgun in a drive-by
shooting. Victims who heard the disturbance called police when they
discovered over £300 of damage to their vehicles. No one was injured and
nothing was stolen.
ITV News,
13 August
2012
Police
have appealed for witnesses to come forward after an
airgun was used in two incidents in
St Albans, Hertfordshire. Marks consistent with airgun pellets
were found in a fence after a man reported hearing gunfire. A car
stopped at a red light was later hit with a pellet.
Manchester Evening News,
1 August
2012
Police have
arrested a 27-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman on suspicion of
criminal damage and seized an airgun
after a month of vandalism in Oldham, Manchester. A
total of 27 attacks on cars and buildings were reported in the town in
late June and July.
Lancashire Telegraph,
20 July 2012
Police have
appealed for information after a man was caught on CCTV firing an
air rifle at a car parked in
Burnley, Lancashire causing damage to the bodywork of the vehicle.
News and Star, 25 May 2012
A driver
was shaken but unhurt when the vehicle he was driving in Workington,
Cumbria was peppered with missiles believed to have come fron an
airgun or a catapult. Police believe
the incident may be linked to two incidents of vandalism to a nearby
primary school and have appealed for information.
BBC News,
14 May 2012
Police
believe a pellet fired from an air weapon, BB
Gun or catapult shattered a bus
window in Dumfries, Dumfriesshire. Nobody was injured.
Passengers reported seeing a group of children running away from the
scene.
This is Gloucestershire,
9 May 2012
A vehicle
in a car park in Berkeley, Gloucestershire has been
damaged. A small hole was found in the boot of the car thought to have
been caused by an airgun pellet. Police have appealed for witnesses.
Hertfordshire Mercury,
8 May 2012
An
airgun was fired at a moving car in Cheshunt,
Hertfordshire. The passenger window was shattered causing distress but
the occupants escaped injury.
This is Nottingham,
7 May
2012
A pellet
has been shot through a car window in
The Arboretum area of Nottingham. Police are investigating the possibility that an air rifle
was used.
Hartlepool Mail,
27 April 2012
A vehicle
was hit by gunfire in Hartlepool, County Durham. Police believe a
pellet from an air gun struck the
vehicle, and a woman was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and
firing an air weapon in public.
Hinckley Times,
26 April
2012
An
air rifle pellet was shot into the
passenger window of a train traveling through Hinckley,
Leicestershire. The window shattered but no one was hit by the damage.
IW Radio,
2 February
2012
Police are
investigating a possible air rifle
attack on a train in the Isle of Wight. An 'unknown missile'
struck a train, causing a window to shatter. One passenger received
minor cuts to her head and foot.
Buxton Advertiser,
26 July 2011
A man was
arrested in Newark, Nottinghamshire after allegedly attacking a
police car with 'various weapons' including an
airgun and a bow and arrow. Police said the window of a
vehicle was smashed but no officers or members of the public were
injured.
SCOTLAND
BBC News,
13 September
2012
Vehicles have
been damaged in four separate incidents of vandalism in Culloden,
Inverness with what police believe to be an air
gun.
WALES
South Wales Evening Post,
19 April 2012
Passengers
on a bus in Briton Ferry, Neath Port Talbot witnessed an
airgun attack. The shooting resulted
in the bus driver being injured and a window being shattered. The driver
survived with a minor injury after being shot in the arm, and took the
bus to safety.
South Wales Evening Post,
18 February 2012
Someone
shot through the window of a historic building in Briton Ferry,
south Wales. The incident is believed to be caused by an
airgun.
South Wales
Evening Post, 17 October 2011
Someone
apparently used an airgun to shoot
10 cars in Port Talbot. The shooting shattered several windows and caused
thousands of pounds worth of damage.
Thefts,
Recoveries and Hand-ins
ENGLAND
Kent Online, 3 April 2013
Police
were deployed after an airgun was
reportedly stolen from a house near Canterbury, Kent and the
suspect was said to have been spotted in the city. No arrests were
reported.
Kent Online,
26 March 2013
Firearms
officers were deployed after police received reports about a group of
people with a gun in Lydd, Kent. The officers stopped and
searched a vehicle and seized an air pistol
and a number of allegedly stolen electronic items. Four men were
arrested.
Basildon
Recorder,
8 March 2013
A Beretta
XX-Treme airgun, a laptop and a
games console have been stolen from a property in Vange, Essex.
The airgun was taken in a case which also contained two CS gas
canisters, a suppressor, a scope and a tin of flat-head metal air
pellets.
News Guardian,
8 March 2013
Four
air rifles, 22
air pistols, an orange blank-firing
pistol, some hunting knives and a satellite navigation system have been
stolen from a car parked in North Shields, Tyne and Wear. The
break in was reported to police, who have appealed for information.
This is
Local
London, 17 February 2013
Three
muskets, an air rifle, a knife-gun,
a loaded shotgun and four handguns
have been found by a member of the public at a sports ground in
Downham, south London. Police recovered the firearms.
Ipswich
Star,
8 February 2013
An
air weapon and jewellery have been
stolen from a home in Ipswich, Suffolk. A man and a woman were
seen in the neighbourhood around the suspected time of the burglary.
Lutterworth
Mail, 6 February 2013
Two
children found an air rifle hidden
in some bushes in Lutterworth, Leicestershire. They did not touch
the gun but told an adult who reported the find to the police. The
weapon was recovered and identified as a gun that had been reported
stolen in December.
Diss Express,
28 January 2013
Jewellery and an
air rifle were stolen in a burglary
of a home in Forncett St Peter, Norfolk. A vehicle is believed to
have been used to reach the rural property and police have appealed for
information about any one driving in the area.
Eastern
Daily
Press, 3 January 2013
A caravan
and workshop have been vandalised and over £1000 of equipment -
including tools, a generator, and an air rifle
- have been stolen at an Air Scout camp in Fakenham, Norfolk.
The robbers used a crowbar to gain access to the premises and broke into the gun
cabinet containing the air weapon.
Eastern Daily Press,
8 November 2012
An
air weapon has been stolen from a
car parked in Barnham, Norfolk. The window of the vehicle was
smashed to gain access to the before the .22 air rifle during the early
hours of the morning.
Gloucestershire Echo,
25
October 2012
An
air rifle with a telescopic sight
has been stolen from a garage at a property in Cheltenham,
Gloucestershire. The airgun, its case and a number of pellets were
taken, and police have appealed for information.
Stroud News & Journal,
9 October
2012
Jewellery, cash,
a cheque book, a baseball bat and an air rifle
in its case have been stolen from a home in Hardwicke,
Gloucestershire. The burglar appeared to have gained access to the house
using a crow bar and hammer taken from a shed in the garden of the
property.
Yate People,
20 September
2012
A 36-year-old man
was arrested and charged with burglaries at non-domestic premises in
Coalpit Heath, South Gloucestershire in which he stole charity
boxes, money, tools and an air rifle.
BBC News,
8 August 2012
Police
arrested six men in Bristol after reports that an illegal firearm
was changing hands in the car park of the McDonalds restaurant. Officers said that cash and drugs had been found from a property
searched in connection with the incident and an
air rifle had also been recovered.
Shoreham Herald,
26 July 2012
A 5-month-old
chihuahua, a passport, a deep-sea fishing diving spear gun and an
air rifle
were stolen from a property in Upper Beeding, West Sussex.
The puppy was been reunited with its owner after media and police
appeals but the weapons were not returned.
Gazette & Herald,
26 June 2012
An
air rifle was stolen from a home in
Scarborough, North Yorkshire. The firearm was taken after
burglars entered an unlocked door in a home and took various items.
Middlewitch Guardian,
9 May 2012
A man has
been arrested after armed police were called to Middlewitch,
Cheshire following reports of a man with a
shotgun. The suspect has been charged with possession of a
firearm with intent to cause fear of violence. A
shotgun and two air rifles
were seized and made safe.
Stamford Mercury,
2 May 2012
Eight
individuals between the ages of 16 and 24 have been arrested in a series
of dawn raids in London. Police seized crack cocaine, a
cannabis factory and an air pistol
at 17 properties in the Westminster and Brent areas. Those
arrested are suspected of involvement in a series of crimes, including
robbery, drug supply and looting in riots in August 2011.
BBC News,
1 May 2012
A break-in
at a house in
Stranraer, Dumfries and Galloway resulted in the theft of a low
powered
air pistol. Police have appealed for information.
BBC News,
23 March
2012
Police
recovered an air pistol, a crossbow
and drugs from a flat in Oldham, Manchester. Officers arrested a
21-year-old man on suspicion of possessing drugs with intent to supply
but no arrests relating to the weapons were reported.
Manchester Evening News,
28
February 2012
Police
recovered an
air rifle and a large amount of
cannabis plants in Blackley, Manchester. Officers arrested five
people upon uncovering the drugs factory.
Todmorden News,
24 February 2012
Police
arrested a man in Todmorden, West Yorkshire after enduring a
siege that lasted nearly three hours. Officers, who were executing a
search warrant on the residence, reportedly recovered three
air weapons from the home and
arrested a suspect on suspicion of unlawful possession of a firearm.
Leicester Mercury, 17
February 2012
A
shotgun and ammunition were stolen
from a home in Leicester. Police said burglars forced open a safe
and stole the legally held shotgun, 225 cartridges and an
air rifle.
Shields Gazette,
8 February
2012
Police
responded to reports of gunshots in South Tyneside as three men
reportedly fled the scene by car. Officers caught the trio and recovered
three airguns before cautioning the
men for discharging air weapons in a public place.
Halifax Courier,
2 February
2012
Police
arrested a man in Todmorden, West Yorkshire who was carrying two
weapons. Officers reportedly stopped a man behaving strangely and
recovered an air pistol as well as a
knife.
BBC News,
23 November
2011
Three
women have been arrested in connection with a machine gun that was
recovered from a home in Manchester. Police also recovered a
loaded air pistol, and charged each
of the three women with two counts of possession of prohibited weapons.
Lynn News,
12 November
2011
Four
teenage boys in Lynn were arrested after they reportedly stole a
machete and air rifles from an
allotment shed and threatened people with the weapons. One boy is
alleged to have frightened cyclists by pulling the trigger on an
unloaded air rifle as he pointed at them. The boys, aged 14 to 17, were
all arrested and received various charges related to the burglary and
possession of the weapons.
Watford Observer,
4 November
2011
Police
recovered 67 weapons in Watford and Three Rivers,
Hertfordshire, in the past year. The haul includes a loaded
airgun, a
sawn-off shotgun, three imitation
firearms and an additional gun.
Eastwood Advertiser,
17 October 2011
A man in
Nottingham was arrested after police apparently recovered a
loaded gun and the ingredients for a bomb at a flat. The man was charged
with two counts of possessing an explosive substance for an unlawful
purpose and two counts of possessing an air
weapon contrary to restrictions placed on him, as well as
possession of a firearm and prohibited ammunition.
SCOTLAND
Arbroath
Herald,
6 February 2013
A
black-coloured airgun, spanners and
other tools have been stolen from a shed that was broken into at a farm
in Inverkeilor, Angus.
Evening Times,
31 October 2012
Police have
arrested 258 people and seized a number of
airsoft guns in efforts to tackle organised crime across
South Lanarkshire. £350,000 was also seized under the Proceeds of
Crime Act, five tanning salons were fined for operating without a licence
and a carwash and another tanning salon were closed.
Scotsman,
12 June 2012
Police
arrested a man in Livingston and charged him with possessing an
air rifle with a telescopic sight
and a silencer in public. The suspect was also charged with trespassing,
behaving in a threatening and abusive manner and drink driving both in a
car and on a motorcycle.
Stirling Observer,
6 April 2012
An
air gun was found in Lochearnhead
on the bank of Loch Earn. A member of the public reportedly
discovered the air rifle while fishing and handed it into police.
WALES
County Times,
25 June 2012
An
airgun was stolen from a parked car
in Newtown. Police said someone smashed a window of the car and
took a multi-shot air rifle with a silencer that had been left on the
rear seat.
South Wales Argus,
11 April 2012
Police
responded to a suspected firearms incident in Bassaleg, Newport.
Officers located a 19-year-old suspect and recovered the weapon in
question, an air rifle. Police
arrested the man on suspicion of possessing a firearm.
Other
Incidents
ENGLAND
Newbury
Weekly
News, 7 May 2013
A
19-year-old man has been charged with having a firearm in a public place
and driving a vehicle in a dangerous condition likely to cause injury in
Thatcham, Berkshire. He was arrested after police recovered an
air rifle when they stopped and
search his car in the town.
The Hinckley
Times, 14 June 2013
Firearms
officers were deployed after residents reported hearing a noise like a
gunshot on a street in Barwell, Leicestershire. A man was found
to have fired an air rifle from his
window into his garden but not to have committed any offence as he had
used the gun within the confines of his own property.
Lancashire
Telegraph, 22 April 2013
Shots have
been fired from an airgun at a
notice board outside the cemetery in Darwen, Lancashire. The shooting
caused only minor damage.
Nottingham
Post,
16 April 2013
A small
amount of cannabis and an air pistol
have been recovered during police raids on properties in Nottingham.
The searches were part of a wider operation to tackle drug dealing,
guns and gang activity in the city.
Liverpool
Echo, 13 April 2013
Armed
officers were dispatched after reports that a man with a gun had entered
a house on a street in Southport, Merseyside. Police arrested
three men on suspicion of possessing an air
rifle in a public place and confiscated the weapon.
Express
&
Star, 11 April 2013
A
stained glass window of a church commemorating soldiers who died in WWII has been
damaged after it was shot at with an airgun
in Lye, West Midlands. The window was left with at least
six holes in the glass which will cost between £500 and £1000 to repair.
Darlington
& Stockton Times, 26 March 2013
Shots have
been fired at the window of a pub in Darlington, County Durham.
The property was damaged with what police believed to be a
BB gun or
airgun.
In-Cumbria,
26 March 2013
Police
were deployed after a man with an air rifle
who was suspected to be poaching was reportedly seen in
Windermere, Cumbria. No weapon was recovered and no arrests were
made.
Gloucestershire
Echo, 12 March 2013
An
air rifle has apparently been used to
shoot the window of a shop in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. The
shop owner discovered the bullet hole upon arriving in the morning to
open the store, but no pellets have been found.
Portsmouth
News, 28 February 2013
Plans to
have airgun games in the corridors
of a former military hospital in Gosport, Hampshire have been
resisted by community groups, including a heritage organisation and
former workers. The site developer confirmed that permission to use the
building had never been granted to the airsoft firm.
Falmouth
Packet,
26 February 2013
The
windows of two properties in Falmouth, Cornwall are suspected to
have been shattered by airgun fire.
Police have appealed for information.
Stourbridge News, 28 November 2012
A
24-year-old man has been charged with possessing a prohibited
air pistol modified to fire nine
millimetre bullets, a bullet adapted to expand on impact and five nine
millimetre cartridges at his home in Brierley Hill, West
Midlands.
The Northern
Echo, 24 February 2013
An
air rifle was reportedly used to
shatter windows and to shoot a dog in Bishop Auckland, County
Durham. Police have appealed for information.
Harlow
Star,
10 February 2013
Police in
Essex have issued a warning to gun owners after 2012 saw at least
four thefts of legally-held weapons
from homes in the county. Police advised gun owners to ensure that:
general security is of a high standard; guns are locked away in gun
cabinets securely fitted to solid walls out of sight of casual
observers; cabinet keys are never left on easy-to-find hooks near the
cabinets or in drawers; keys are kept on the person at all times and a
spare set hidden somewhere in the house; weapons are never left
unattended in vehicles; and that any air weapons are also locked away,
especially if there are young people under the age of 18 in the house.
Northampton Chronicle & Echo,
9 July 2012
Shots have been
fired at a building undergoing renovation in Northampton with
what is suspected to be an air rifle
or BB gun. The property, which is
being converted into a hotel, had windows broken on a number of
different occasions and police have begun an investigation.
This is Wiltshire,
4 July 2012
Armed
officers were called after teachers in Collingbourne, Wiltshire
saw a man with an air rifle near the
primary school. Police followed the 71-year-old to his home where he
explained he had been hunting vermin at the recreational ground and had
accidentally walked near school grounds.
Daily Echo, 19
April 2012
Police
said a window was broken due to an air rifle
being fired in Alresford, Essex. Six youths were reportedly seen
with the weapon but escaped police pursuit.
The Sentinel,
13 February
2012
Four men
were arrested and 'a number' of airguns
were seized from a flat in Penkhull, Staffordshire after a fight
broke out at a house party. A man was taken to hospital with a broken
nose and facial injuries, but the airguns were not believed to have been
fired.
Berwick Advertiser,
11 November
2011
A man was
arrested in Belford, Northumberland and charged with possession
of a firearm without holding a firearms certificate. He allegedly was
sent an air weapon by his mother,
who lives in the U.S., but customs intercepted it.
This is Wiltshire, 9 September 2011
A man was
arrested when he was seen holding a firearm while cycling in Devizes,
Wiltshire. Someone was spotted holding what appeared to be a rifle and
ran from police, but a search ensued and officers detained a 19-year-old
suspect. They charged him with possession of a firearm and theft, and
recovered an air rifle nearby.
Daily Gazette,
13 September 2011
A
suspected airgun attack on a
community centre in Colchester, Essex resulted in a broken
window. The centre had only been opened one week after ten years of
effort to finish building it.
SCOTLAND
Dumfries Standard,
28 October 2011
A primary
school in Dumfries was vandalised in what police believe was an
airgun attack. Several windows were
smashed at the school during the October holiday week.
BBC
News, 26 July 2011
Police in
Angus received reports that a man in a car was seen with an
airgun. The man was spotted near
the nature trail and police were pursuing information from witnesses.
Court
Cases
ENGLAND
Lancaster
Guardian, 14 June 2013
Stephen
Kay has been jailed for seven years for carrying out a hate campaign
against his former college in which he planted a bomb at his home in
Heysham, Lancaster. Kay began the attacks after his employer
rejected complaints of alleged bullying by the victim. He him sent a
package in the post which contained two mouse traps modified to
fire blank .22 cartridges and a note in which he threatened to burn down
his house and murder his wife, but they did not activate and the victim
did not report the incident. Nine months later he set up an improvised
explosive device containing petrol, black powder, lead shot and ball
bearings that was tied to the back door with a clothes line, but this
did not detonate as intended when the victim's wife opened the door. A
letter was also intercepted in which Kay threatened to kill the victim
and the victim found a mechanism under his car parked outside his house
which created a burn mark. At the time Kay was seeing a psychiatrist for
a paranoid desires to kill his colleagues, but he was only discovered a
decade after the incidents when Kay boasted on social media site
Facebook about it being the "10th anniversary of the IED incident".
During his arrest police discovered an air
rifle with firing power above the legal limit, two CS gas
canisters, military memorabilia, replica weapons and a mechanism for
spraying intruders with UV powder.
BBC News,
4 June 2013
William
McNally has been jailed for six years for threatening a shopkeeper with
an air pistol during the robbery of
a grocery store in Glasgow. He wore a balaclava and pointed the
gun at the victim before escaping with £200 in cash. Police recovered
the air pistol from his home in the city.
Lancashire Evening Post, 5 May 2013
David
Bradburn has been jailed for four years for shooting his neighbour in
the head with an air pistol in a
common area where they lived in Morecambe, Lancashire. The
60-year-old shot the victim after he allegedly looked at him in the
wrong way, and asked the victim if he knew what the weapon was before
firing six shots at his head. Bradburn continued to shoot the victim as
he tried to escape, leaving him in need of an operation to remove the
pellets.
The Northern Echo, 29 April 2013
Graeme Lee
Brown has been given a conditional discharge and ordered to pay £85
costs and forfeit his air rifle for
destruction after he shot down a pigeon while testing the weapon at his
home in Spennymoor, County Durham. The soldier admitted
unlawfully firing the gun beyond the boundaries of his own garden but
claimed not have known he had hit the bird. Police were contacted after
Brown's neighbours found the shot pigeon on their driveway and saw him
with the airgun.
BBC News, 26 April 2013
Tomasz
Szymanski has been jailed for 18 months for threatening two men with an
air pistol outside a nightclub in
Shrewsbury, Shropshire. He swore at people, held the unloaded weapon
against the head of one of the victims and threatened to shoot the other
in the chest. He was later arrested at his home and claimed he had taken
the gun to the club in order to impress people.
BBC News, 23 April 2013
Yang Li
has been jailed for 12 months and ordered to pay £4,800 costs for
attempting to bribe his tutor to change his dissertation mark while
carrying a loaded air pistol at the
university in Bath, Somerset. During a meeting to discuss his
options after being awarded a failing mark, Li put £5,000 on the desk
but was told to leave and as he did so, the gun fell from his pocket.
The professor was shaken but unharmed by the incident.
Wakefield Express, 20 April 2013
Ronnie
Hudson, 63, has pleaded guilty to possessing a
shotgun, 30 cartridges and three air
rifles, while banned from having firearms for life due to a
previous jail sentence, in Wakefield, West Yorkshire. He was
captured on CCTV leaving a fully functional shotgun next to a railway
track, and police recovered the cartridges and air rifles from his home
in the town. Hudson claimed to have discovered the gun after seeing a
group of men leaving something in the woods and to have put the gun on
the railway line without its ammunition where he knew it would be
discovered.
Halesowen News, 16 April 2013
Gary Burch
has been placed under three-year supervision on condition he undergoes
an alcohol treatment programme after pleading guilty to possessing an
imitation firearm with intent to
cause fear of violence. He pointed the realistic fake nine millimetre
handgun at a paramedic when the ambulance service was called to his home
in Oldbury, West Midlands. The victim was able to force Burch to
drop the gun, which was later found to be an
air pistol.
Southern Daily Echo, 8 April 2013
Marcus
Webb, 18, has been given a 34-week suspended sentence, with 18 months'
supervision and 100 hours of community work, for pointing an
air rifle at his stepfather and
arming himself with a knife at the culmination of an ongoing family
argument at his home in Damerham, Hampshire. He pointed the gun
at the victim, shouted abuse, and threatened to shoot him after he
intervened in an argument between Webb and his mother. When the rifle
was taken from him the following day, he armed himself with a knife and
threatened to kill himself, before later turning himself into the
police.
Swindon Advertiser, 29 March 2013
David Sanders has
pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine and a bladed article, and possessing
an imitation firearm in a public
place. He held the airgun in the
direction of a motorist who believed that the weapon was being aimed at
him, although Sanders denied that he had intended to point the weapon at anyone on the road near Swindon, Wiltshire.
Southern Daily Echo, 25 March 2013
Ian Seymour has
been jailed for two years for carrying an air
rifle and pellets in public and for doing so when prohibited
because of a jail sentence for a previous offence in Hampshire.
He was arrested after a concerned passerby saw Seymour and a group of
others with what appeared to be a shotgun and called police.
News & Star,
21 March 2013
Ryan Dixon has
been jailed for four years after he pleaded guilty to possessing a gun
with intent to cause fear of violence, being in possession of an
air weapon within five years of
being released from prison, assault while shouting racist insults,
common assault, stealing a mobile phone and deliberately damaging a car
at a takeaway in Whitehaven, Cumbria. Dixon went to the takeaway
where his father worked after his dad had confiscated but then returned
the air rifle from a teenager in Dixon's company who had pointed the
weapon at his car. He then confronted his father, and hit another
employee in the face when she tried to intervene. He racially insulted
the owner and hit him in the face with the gun but was disarmed after a
struggle with the victim. He fled, kicking the wing
mirrors off his father's car, smashing in the window with a brick and
stealing a mobile phone from a passerby as he left. Police found Dixon the
following day hiding at a friend's house and he was arrested.
The Oxford
Times, 19 March 2013
Akbar Hussain has
been jailed for nine months for possessing an
air rifle, when prohibited from doing so for five years due to
a previous prison sentence, at his home in Banbury, Oxfordshire.
Police discovered the break barrel spring-fired weapon when they visited
the property on a separate matter.
Express
&
Star, 16 March 2013
Two boys, aged 13
and 14, have been given referral orders and ordered to pay £200
compensation to a 77-year-old women they shot in the head with an
air rifle outside the hospital in Wolverhampton, West
Midlands. The victim had just left the hospital but required surgery to
remove the pellet embedded in her skull. While she was inside receiving
treatment, the pair fired at her husband and a security guard. The gun has been
ordered to be
destroyed.
Liverpool Echo, 13 March 2013
Nerijus
Stankaitis, 26, has pleaded guilty to having a realistic Gamo carbon
dioxide-powered air pistol and a
large hunting knife in his hold luggage at John Lennon Airport in
Liverpool, Merseyside. He was removed from the plane when he became
disruptive after boarding and the firearm and blade where discovered
during a search of his bags.
Southern
Daily
Echo, 8 March 2013
Hiram
Braithwaite, 55, has been jailed for seven years after he and an
unidentified accomplice assaulted a man who they mistakenly believed was part of a
rival drug gang, and he was found to have seven knives and a load
revolver air pistol at his home in
Islington, north London. The victim was blindfolded, tied up and
threatened with a knife before his assailants realised they had attacked
the wrong address and broke his mobile phone as they fled.
Northampton
Chronicle & Echo, 28 February 2013
Mark
Vevers, 50, has pleaded guilty to using a loaded
airgun to imprison a woman at his home
in Northampton. The victim went to his house to collect a
repayment of a loan he had taken out from an online company when Vevers
pointed the gun at her and prevented her from leaving. He took £485 from
her person and then marched her to a cashpoint and forced the victim to
withdraw an additional £300 from her account. He released after an hour
and a half and was later arrested.
Leicester
Mercury, 25 February 2013
Ram Odedra
has been jailed for 20 months and been given a two-month restraining
order for threatening to kill his former girlfriend with an
air rifle after their four-month
relationship broke down in Leicester. After the break-up he sent
her threatening text messages made over 50 missed calls a day to her
phone. When she answered he threatened to shoot her and sent her a
picture of himself holding a black air rifle, prompting her to call
police, after which he was arrested and the gun seized.
Oxford Mail,
19 February 2013
Barry
Haydon has been jailed for 12 months for possessing an Enfield revolver,
an air rifle and ammunition at his
home in Burford, Oxfordshire. The weapons were recovered during
an investigation into a plot to smuggle £50 million of cannabis into the
UK in 2010, in which Haydon's involvement was minor. The 69-year-old
avoided the five-year statutory minimum sentence for possession of a
prohibited firearm as he is suffering from cancer and is only expected
to live for five years.
The Sentinel,
16 February 2013
Kabir
Abubakar and Joshua Allen have both been jailed for 30 months in a young
offenders' institution for robbing a taxi driver at gunpoint using an
airgun in Newcastle-under-Lyme,
Staffordshire. The pair got into the taxi and guided the driver to a
dead-end before holding the gun to his head and demanding money. The
18-year-olds escaped with at least £140 in cash. Police arrested the
pair and recovered an air pistol and a gas canister after receiving a
tip-off as to their identity."
North Devon
Journal, 7 February 2013
Dean Eric
Truby has had a 12-month jail sentenced reduced to five months on appeal
against a conviction for illegally possessing a double-barrelled
shotgun, an
air rifle, and expanding bullets at his
home in Knowle, Devon. He pleaded guilty to possession of the
weapons after they were recovered by police executing a warrant at the
property.
Tottenham
Journal, 6 February 2013
Vincent
Barnes has been jailed for two years for threatening an employee at an
off licence with an realistic airgun
in Wood Green, north London. He took the gun to the shop after
the shopkeeper took money he claimed was owed for previous purchases.
The threats resulted in a struggle outside the premises during which the
victim was able to wrestle the weapon from his assailant. Barnes was
arrested shortly afterwards after he was identified using CCTV footage
and DNA from the weapon.
Times &
Star,
1 February 2013
Stuart
Armstrong, 52, has been placed under year-long probation supervision,
ordered to pay court costs, and had his airgun
destroyed after he pleaded guilty to using it to threaten two workmen
outside his home in Whitehaven, Cumbria. Armstrong swore at the
men and pointed a .22 air rifle at them from an upstairs window after
the noise of their hedge-cutting woke him up. Armed officers were
deployed after the victims reported to police that they were afraid of
being shot, but Armstrong claimed to have being pointing a fishing rod
at the men. Armstrong was arrested and the gun was later found hidden behind
a wall.
Keighley
News,
25 January 2013
Kevin Robinson,
53, has been given a 12-month community order and has his
air rifle confiscated after he took
it out in an attempt to scare off a group of young people from outside
his home in Keighley, West Yorkshire.
Daily Mail,
17 January 2013
Bill Worthington,
75, has pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to an animal
after he trapped a squirrel in a cage and shot it five times in two
hours with an air rifle but failed
to kill it in the garden of his home in Stockport, Greater
Manchester. His actions were reported to the RSPCA by a neighbour and
the animal, who collected the animal so it could be put down humanely.
North-West
Evening Mail, 13 January 2013
Andrew More has
been given a four-month suspended sentence with 12 months' supervision
and mandatory attendance at an alcohol treatment programme after he took
an unloaded air rifle to a pub in
Barrow, Cumbria while banned from having a weapon for five years for
a previous conviction.
The Sentinel,
11 January 2013
Michael Prince,
18, has been jailed for 8 weeks in a young offenders' institution for
using an air rifle to shoot and kill
18 ducks on a canal in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire. He was
arrested after he and his accomplice posted pictures of the dead birds
on the Internet.
Jarrow &
Hebburn
Gazette, 11 January 2013
Zbigniew
Chrostowski has been handed a 12-month community order with 150 hours of
unpaid work for pointing an air pistol
at his neighbour's head when she knocked on his door to complain about
loud music coming from his house in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear.
Zbigniew brandished the imitation weapon, pointed it at the victim's
head and swore at her before she called the police and he was
arrested.
The Bristol
Post, 8 January 2013
Andrew
Pullin, a former soldier from Bristol, has been given an 18-month
suspended sentence with supervision and a ban on contacting his wife
after he threatened to kill her and his father-in-law. While suffering
with post traumatic stress disorder after returning from active duty,
Pullin told his wife he had a gun and bullets and threatened to shoot
her. He also
threatened to shoot his wife's father and told police he had an
air rifle and that his wife was going
to "get it".
Redditch
Standard,
4 January 2013
Lesley
Guy, 69, has been ordered to pay £250 - consisting of a fine, court
costs, compensation and a victim surcharge - after he pleaded guilty to
shooting a nine-year-old boy when he fired an
air rifle over the fence of his home in Redditch,
Worcestershire. Guy fired a pellet during target practice which flew
over a fence and a roof before hitting the victim in the chest as he
walked through the school playground. Police have not yet decided
whether to return the confiscated weapon.
The Bristol Post, 24 November 2012
Two young men
have been found guilty of driving into the vehicle of a woman who owed
them drug money and threatening her with an air
rifle on the motorway near Weston-super-Mare,
Somerset. Jordan Small, 21, has been jailed for 28 months and banned
from driving for three years, and Craig Hailstone, 20, has been given a
nine-month suspended youth sentence, with 240 hours of unpaid work, a
six-month tagged curfew, and bans on taking drugs and contacting Small.
The pair followed the victim after she failed to pay for her cannabis
and rammed into her car, forcing her to pull over and pay, and leaving
the vehicle beyond repair.
BBC News, 23 November 2012
Joshua Claxton,
19, has been handed a 12-month supervision order with a three-month
curfew and been ordered to take an alcohol course after he shot and
injured members of the public with an air rifle
in the centre of Exeter, Devon. He claimed to have intended
to frighten people and to impress friends who he was with, but hit one
man on the shoulder, causing him pain and bruising.
Kent Online, 21 November 2012
Tashaun Rudland,
19, has been given a 12-month suspended youth sentence and been ordered
to do 200 hours of unpaid work and pay £1000 compensation after shooting
his friend in the side with an air rifle
during a party at a property in Dartford, Kent. He
sustained life-threatening pierce wounds to his lung and abdomen that
required extensive hospital treatment, and has been left with the pellet
permanently lodged in his liver. Both Rudland and the victim had
consumed Class A drugs and alcohol, and he denied having any intention
to cause grievous bodily harm.
Derby Telegraph, 15 November 2012
Kieron Legg has
been given a 12-month suspended sentence with 250 hours of unpaid work
and a three-month curfew, and been ordered to pay £1300 court costs for
shooting a man in the leg with an air rifle
in the garden of his home in South Normanton, Derbyshire.
Legg fired the air weapon from an upstairs window into the back garden
of the property next-door, intending to shock but instead leaving a
pellet lodged in the victim's leg. The 21-year-old required surgery and
was left with a 10 cm long scar in his calf.
Plymouth
Herald,
10 November 2012
Gary
Chapman, 49, has been given a 12-month community order with six months
of supervision after he pleaded guilty in October to possessing an
air rifle
with intent to cause violence in an incident that resulted in a
stand-off with police at his home in Plympton, Devon (see
October sentences). Chapman threatened his
daughter, a family friend and emergency workers while suffering over the
past loss of his wife and recent death of his pet cat. Officers used a
taser on Chapman but he fired a pellet from his air weapon before he could be restrained. The airgun has been seized
and will be destroyed.
The Blackpool Gazette,
1 November
2012
Jordan
Hughes, 19, has been sentenced to eight months in youth custody for
firing an air pistol with the
appearance of a handgun in order to scare a group of people outside his
flat in Blackpool, Lancashire. He shot a letterbox twice with the
carbon dioxide power gun, in an alleged attempt to frighten off eight to
10 people after they reportedly responded aggressively to efforts by
Hughes to get them to leave. He claimed to have felt threatened by the
group because his home had recently been attacked by masked men armed
with Samurai swords.
The Bucks Herald, 30 October 2012
Steven
Bernard Ferguson, 41, has pleaded guilty to possession of a loaded
shotgun and a number of illegal drugs
while driving under the influence of alcohol in Princes Risborough,
Buckinghamshire. He was arrested after police discovered the weapon
and five different controlled drugs in his vehicle after responding to
reports of a man with a shotgun who was driving dangerously. An
air rifle,
shotgun cartridges and cocaine were later recovered from
his home.
Plymouth Herald,
16 October 2012
Gary Chapman has
pleaded guilty to possessing an air rifle
which triggered a stand-off with armed officers at his home in
Plympton, Devon (see September incidents).
Items were thrown from the property at police who were
called to reports of a man brandishing a firearm in a domestic
disturbance. Chapman turned himself in to police who recovered the air
weapon from the scene.
Dorset Echo, 13 October 2012
Jerry
Fitzroy Cole, a breeder of rare reptiles, has been jailed for five years
for the possession of illegal firearms at his farm in Dorchester,
Dorset. Police discovered an unsecured pump-action
shotgun,
a revolver
air weapon, and a CS gas canister on
the premises. Although the 51-year-old had previously held firearms and
shotgun certificates for weapons used to control pests, he had been
keeping the weapons in question illegally.
Suffolk Free Press, 12 October 2012
Jason
Parker has pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm with intent to
cause fear of violence after he threatened a police officer with an
airgun. Sentencing has been deferred
in order to allow Parker, from Great Cornard, Suffolk, to deal
with mental health and drug problems from which he suffers.
The Cornishman, 11 October 2012
James
O'Brien has been given a 12-month community order with 50 hours unpaid
work after pleading guilty to being in possession of a loaded
air rifle,
a lock knife and cannabis
when stopped by police in Penzance, Cornwall.
Louth Target,
15 September
2012
Benjamin George
Franklin received a 4-week suspended sentence and was disqualified from
driving for 3 years after committing a series of offences while on holiday
in Louth, Lincolnshire. He pleaded guilty to driving with excess
alcohol and without insurance and whilst disqualified because of a
previous drink driving conviction, failing to stop after an accident and
possessing a firearm without a certificate. Franklin fled after he crashed
into a row of parked cars but was pursued and arrested by officers who
found a Logun Axor air rifle in his
caravan.
Bradford Telegraph and Argus,
13 September
2012
Javid Sadiq has
been jailed for 5 years for three sexual offences and for possession of
a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence in Bradford, West
Yorkshire. The 27-year-old had a sexual relationship with a 13-year-old
girl which culminated in an attempt to hang himself with washing line
in front of the victim. Sadiq later threatened to
shoot a gamekeeper with an air rifle who
discovered him poaching.
Croydon Advertiser,
13 September
2012
George Aldersley,
69, was ordered to pay £500 costs and £350 compensation and to do 150 hours
of unpaid work after pleading guilty to having an
airgun in public in Warlingham, Surrey. He swore at
his neighbour and pointed the weapon at her rottweiler after the animal
attacked his own pet dog causing it a leg injury and a tail injury
requiring amputation. Aldersley, who held a full shotgun licence, was arrested at
his by home armed officers after the victim called police.
Leicester Mercury,
10
September 2012
Jake Chetwynd has
been jailed for a year for possessing an imitation firearm and intending
cause fear unlawful violence. He fired an air
weapon similar to a BB gun
at the part-open window of a car on the road while he was being driven
to work in Leicester after an argument with the vehicle's driver.
The driver responded by giving chase, driving dangerously in order to
detain Chetwynd, until he was arrested by police.
The Citizen,
2
September 2012
Gordon Duncan
Muir has been jailed for 26 weeks for shooting a man in the back with an
air rifle. Muir armed himself with
the gun and a knife after finding the victim's dogs on his property in
Great Harwood, Lancashire. He threatened to shoot the victim,
with whom he reportedly had an ongoing dispute about the animals, and
shot him as he ran away. Muir later beat up his girlfriend's ex-partner
and was found to be carrying a knife when he was arrested.
Birmingham Mail,
28
August 2012
A
17-year-old from Studley, Warwickshire has been referred to a
youth offending team for 6 months of monitoring and been ordered to pay
£85 courts costs and £500 compensation to a 4-year-old boy that he shot in
the face with an airgun. The victim,
who was shot close to his school in front of his mum and brother, had to
have surgery to remove the pellet which has left a scar.
This is the West Country,
23
August 2012
Two 17-year olds
have pleaded guilty to possessing loaded
airguns in a public place after they were arrested by
officers investigating reports of people shooting in St Day,
Cornwall. One teenager received a 6-month youth rehabilitation order and
was told to pay £20 costs for the offence and for possession of a drug,
disorderly behaviour, wounding, battery and attempted robbery. The other
was handed a 6-month referral order and made to pay £20 costs after a
police warning for battery.
Worksop Guardian,
23
August 2012
Deon Caley has
been jailed for 4 and a half years for possession of a firearm and
wounding with intent in Misterton, Nottinghamshire. Caley shot a
builder who he believed had been in an argument with his son with a .22
gas-powered air pistol and was
arrested after the weapon was found in a hedge where he had abandoned
it. His victim had to have surgery to remove the pellet from his
forehead and was left with nerve damage that may be permanent.
The Northern Echo,
22 August 2012
Carl Moore has
been given a 6-month six-month suspended sentence and ordered him to
live at his mother’s home in Darlington, Durham to help
him overcome problems with alcohol after shooting his stepson's friend
with an air rifle. The shooting
occurred after Moore had shown the 16-year-old the weapon and let him
hold it, and the victim initially helped hide the gun. Moore was later
arrested after the teenager required hospital treatment for his minor
leg injury.
The Sentinel, 15 August 2012
Peter
Boote, 57 has been given a 12 month community order and ordered to do
180 hours of unpaid work and pay £750 court costs. He used an
air rifle to threaten a group of
teenagers one of whom had initially parked his bike in front of Boote's
house in Kidsgrove, Staffordshire. The group contacted the
police but when the motorcycle owner returned to retrieve it later that
day, Boote called Adam Smith who assaulted the teenager with a bottle. The boy sustained severe injuries and Smith was jailed for 6 years. Boote was arrested a few months later for affray.
Banbury Guardian,
3
August 2012
Mason Ainsby was
given a community order of 160 hours unpaid work and required to pay
£100 after pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis, two
charges of acquiring, possessing or using a pedal cycle, theft of a
pedal cycle and of acquiring, using or possessing an
air rifle in Banbury,
Oxfordshire.
Falmouth Packet,
3
August 2012
Daniel
Shane Kendrick has been jailed for 18 months after pleading guilty to
possessing five air weapons,
ammunition, drugs, and knives and being in breach of a conditional
discharge. Police recovered the stolen weapons from his sister's
home in Falmouth, Cornwall. Kendrick had previous
convictions involving firearms and was banned from possessing weapons
and ammunition because of a previous jail sentence.
News & Star,
1
August 2012
Keiran
Cleminson has been given a 16-week suspended sentence, 200 hours
community work and a 12-week curfew after pleading guilty to possessing
a firearm and ammunition in a public place and causing criminal damage
in Carlisle. Cleminson took a semi-automatic
airgun to a nightclub and shot 30
pellets at a rubbish bin before he was arrested.
Burton Mail,
13
July 2012
Michael Baker has
been given a two-year conditional discharge after pleading guilty to
possessing an air weapon when banned for life from owning firearms
because of a previous conviction. Police found him taking shots at cans
with an air rifle under a railway
bridge in Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire. He initially fled
from the officers, but later took them to where he had left the weapon.
BBC News,
11
July 2012
Andrew
Summerfield has been jailed for six-and-a-half months after he shot his
dog with an air rifle and struck him
in the head with a meat cleaver at least eight times at his home in
Colchester, Essex. The pet was shot at 17 times and abandoned on the
motorway in an attack an RSPCA Inspector described as one of the worst
cases of animal cruelty he had ever witnessed. The pet survived the
attack but was reportedly found missing a "quarter of the front top of
his head" with wounds covered with flies and maggots, and had to be put
to sleep.
Northampton Chronicle & Echo,
11
July 2012
Terrance
White, 59, has been jailed for a minimum of five years for possession of
an unlicensed shotgun, three
illegally-held pistols with short barrels and 40 rounds of expanding
ammunition. The unsecured weapons and ammunition were discovered by
officers in raids of his premises in Walgrave, Northamptonshire
during which a number of air rifles
and antique guns were also found.
The Bucks Herald, 4 July 2012
Al Amin
Dhalla has been jailed for at least six years for harassing his
ex-girlfriend and her family in Aston Abbotts, Buckinghamshire. He sent malicious communications to the victim when their relationship
ended and hired a private detective.
Dhalla was
initially arrested for target practice in field by officers who
recovered an airgun with telescopic
sights, a BB pistol, two modified
crossbows, ammunition and a GPS system programmed to his ex-partner's
workplaces and homes of her family members from his van. Dhalla
subsequently set fire to her parents' home and a police station, but no
one was harmed. He was found, disguised as a doctor, at the
hospital where his ex worked and arrested. He will be deported
back to Canada upon release.
Daily Mail, 4 July 2012
Alex
Warren-Lean has been jailed for 35 months in a young offenders’
institution and Andrew Charlton has been jailed for 15 months and banned
from driving for 12 months for a robbery in Plymouth, Devon. The 19-year-olds stole
two laptops, six lighters, four swords, 12-15 knives, three
replica pistols and an air rifle
from an unoccupied home awaiting probate. They were chased by
police, driving a stolen van dangerously to evade officers before they
were arrested. Warren-Lean also used what he claimed was a
BB gun to threaten three people including a
17-year-old who was pregnant.
Peterborough Telegraph,
28
June 2012
Mark
Chapman has been jailed for five years after shooting his father with an
air rifle in Peterborough.
The pellet narrowly missed the victim's heart, and he survived after
undergoing emergency surgery. Chapman also reportedly harassed his
ex-partner and fired the gun into the air on the streets of the town the
same evening. Chapman pleaded guilty to wounding, breaching a harassment
order and two counts of possession of a firearm with intent.
Bath Chronicle,
28
June 2012
George
Davies-Ball and Samuel Bryant have been jailed for five years each after
robbing a betting shop and a bank in Wiltshire. The pair
threatened victims, including a pregnant woman, with an
airgun in the two robberies. Both
men pled guilty to two robberies and two firearm offences.
Sunderland Echo,
23
June 2012
Andrew
Blake has been jailed for three months after admitting possessing a
prohibited weapon and possessing a firearm without a certificate. Blake
was caught with an air rifle and a
stun gun in South Hetton,
County Durham.
Hull Daily Mail,
22
June 2012
Stuart
Thacker has been given a six-month suspended prison sentence and ordered
to complete 240 hours of unpaid community work after he threatened
others with an air rifle in his pub
in Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire. Thacker pleaded guilty to
affray and possessing a false identity document.
Chester First,
11
June 2012
Robert
Reynolds was fined after pleading guilty to possession of ammunition for
a firearm. Reynolds was caught storing two live bullets in his cupboard
in Chester and was fined £300. Reynolds had previously been
cautioned for possessing a firearm in a public place after he was caught
concealing an air rifle down his
jacket in Abergele, North Wales.
Herald Series,
8
June 2012
Luke
Alford has been convicted of possessing an imitation firearm with intent
to cause fear of violence and possessing drugs with intent to supply. He
fired an airgun out of his window at
a passing taxi in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, and police found a large
supply of drugs at his home.
Hucknall Dispatch,
1
June 2012
Darren
James has been jailed for 15 years after police found an explosive
chemical, weapons and a stolen car at his flat in Bulwell,
Nottingham. In addition to the dangerous chemical and car, police
recovered an illegal shotgun, an
air rifle, ammunition and stolen
knives and axes.
Telegraph and Argus,
26
May 2012
Craig
Baldwin has been jailed for six years for robbing a convenience store in
Bradford, West Yorkshire. Craig and an accomplice threatened
staff with an air pistol and a
hammer before making off with cash and cigarettes. The judge commended
the courage of a young female witness who helped secure the conviction.
Wirral Globe,
25
May 2012
Neil Bryan
has been jailed after pleading guilty to possessing a
shotgun without a certificate and
growing cannabis in Wallasey, Merseyside. Bryan bought the gun a
few weeks after it was stolen from a farm in Tarporley. Bryan was said
to have been a passionate field sportsman from an early age and had
helped the gamekeeper on the Leverhulme Estate. However, after being
jailed for wounding he had to content himself with using an
air rifle for shooting vermin. Judge
Nigel Gilmour said the gun could have fallen into the wrong hands if
Bryan had been burgled.
North West Evening Mail,
24
May 2012
Ronnie
Kevin Hill has been fined £100 and ordered to pay a £15 victim surcharge
and £30 costs after admitting possession of an
air rifle in a public place. Hill had been firing his air
rifle at paper targets stuck on trees in a quarry in Barrow,
Cumbria.
Leader Live,
16
May 2012
A
17-year-old youth who ordered a friend to shoot a binman in Wrexham,
North Wales, with an air weapon was
given a 12 months youth rehabilitation order with supervision and curfew and ordered to
pay £315 compensation. A second teenager was given a 12 month youth
rehabilitation order and was ordered to pay £260 compensation. The 17
year old also admitted three counts of burglary including the theft of
an air weapon from an allotment.
This is South Devon,
11
May 2012
Anthony Mares from Ogwell, Devon was sentenced to 100 hours of
unpaid work as part of a 12 month community order for causing
unnecessary suffering to a neighbour's cat. Mares pleaded guilty
to shooting the cat with an air rifle.
Lancashire Evening Post,
10
May 2012
Peter Ashworth of Brookfield, Lancashire pleaded guilty to drugs
and firearms offences. Ashworth was sentenced to 52 weeks custody
for firearms offences suspended for two years with 12 weeks to run
concurrently for each of the drugs offences. Ashworth, who had
previously been banned from possessing firearms, was found to have an
air rifle and ammunition.
This is Nottingham,
1 May 2012
Ernest
Clements, 72 admitted possessing a .22 calibre pre-charged pneumatic
air rifle and a Weihrauch HW90
air rifle without having valid certificates. A court in
Nottingham fined him £700 and £625 prosecution costs, and £300 and a
£15 victim surcharge. An order was passed for the cancellation of
any shotgun certificates held by
Clements. The rifles and cartridges were destroyed.
Hull Daily Mail,
20
April 2012
Gordon
Houlden was given a suspended prison sentence after admitting unlawfully
wounding a victim in Hull. Houlden shot a 12-year-old boy with an
air rifle when he fired the gun out
of his bathroom window at the victim and his friends. The boy required
surgery to remove the pellet but survived the shooting. Houlden was
ordered to do 200 hours of unpaid work and pay the victim
£1,500 compensation.
Kidderminster Shuttle,
5
April 2012
Thomas
Loveridge, 21, has been jailed for 21 days for breaching a court order
and will face a further burglary charge after allegedly stealing items
from a store in Kidderminster, Worcestershire. Loveridge is
charged with the burglary of a store in which an
air rifle, electrical goods and cash were stolen.
Cambridge News,
12
March 2012
Benjamin
Keady, 20, has been jailed for three years after admitting robbery and
possession of cannabis. Keady and his brother-in-law broke into a house
in Cambridge and threatened a victim with an
airgun. However, the victim grabbed
the gun and stymied the attack. Keady, who already has convictions for
assault occasioning actual bodily harm, wounding, grievous bodily harm,
battery and assaulting a police officer, was caught by police, but the
other perpetrator reportedly escaped and fled back to Jamaica.
Western Morning News,
6 March 2012
Craig Lane
has been given a community order for criminal damage, possession of an
air rifle and possession of a
pickaxe handle after he attacked a car belonging to his ex-partner's new
boyfriend. Lane was carrying the air rifle when he smashed a window of
the car. He was ordered to do 100 hours of unpaid work.
Kensington and Chelsea
Chronicle,
6
March 2012
James
Reynolds has been given an 18-month community service order after
admitting possession of a firearm. Reynolds was seen in public with a
gun before police caught him with an airgun,
CS gas and a blade in Notting Hill, west London. He admitted
possession of a prohibited weapon and possession of an offensive weapon.
Daily Express,
2
March 2012
Patrick
Doyle, 71, has been given a 12-week suspended sentence for causing
unnecessary suffering after shooting a cat from close range with an
air rifle. Doyle baited the animal
into a cage because it was digging up his garden in Bedfordshire.
He then shot it and left it thrashing about the cage before a neighbour
finally freed it.
Daily Echo,
1
March 2012
Kieran
Bunday, 24, has been jailed for three years after he threatened a boy
with an air rifle and knife and
raped him in Bournemouth. Bunday was found guilty of four charges
of rape, two of sexual assault, two of causing a person to engage in
sexual activity without consent and one of indecency with a child.
Somerset Standard,
1
March 2012
Scott Doel
has been jailed for three years and Lloyd Jones for two years and eight
months after the pair each shot someone with an
airgun in Somerset. Both men fired shots from the
weapon, striking the victim in his back and his right eye. Hospital
treatment was unsuccessful in salvaging the victim's sight in the
affected eye. Doel and Jones pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily
harm and possessing a firearm while committing an offence. Doel also
admitted common assault.
Staffordshire Newsletter,
27
February 2012
Clive
Price was found guilty of shooting and killing a cat with an illegal
airgun and possessing multiple
illegal firearms in Stafford. However, the court found
'exceptional circumstances' -- the fact Price is carer for his disabled
wife -- to overcome the minimum five years in prison and he was not
jailed. Price admitted to causing unnecessary suffering to the cat after
he shot it out of a tree and then killed it 'by clubbing it or swinging
it against a wall'. That led police to his home, where they found more
illegal guns that led to four firearms offences. Price was given a
suspended jail sentence and ordered to do 300 hours of unpaid community
work.
Cambridge News,
14
February 2012
Anthony
Taylor, 18, has been given a four-month suspended detention order after
apparently shooting two children with an air
rifle in Meldreth, Cambridgeshire. Taylor admitted
firing the rifle from his garden and bedroom window, and two victims
were injured during the shootings. A 12-year-old was hit in the arm and
elbow, while a 15-year-old boy was hit in the top of his leg. Taylor
pleaded guilty to affray after a court decided it could not be proved
that Taylor had actually caused the injuries, and the court opted not to
send him to prison.
Western Morning News,
10 February
2012
Jayne
Evans has been given a 12-month community order after admitting affray.
Evans reportedly carried an air rifle
in public and pointed it at a man in Torquay, Devon. Police found
her drunk in her flat with the weapon following the incident, and
officers recovered the airgun.
Mirror,
11 November 2011
Five
teenage boys aged 13 to 16 have been jailed 18 months each after
carrying out an armed robbery in Southampton. The boys,
apparently model students doing GCSEs, threatened a shopkeeper with an
antique airgun. They each admitted
robbery and were sent to a young offenders institution.
BBC
News,
11 November 2011
David
Cawston has been jailed for three years for possessing an
air pistol with intent to cause fear
of violence. He initially contacted police and indicated that he had a
weapon, then barricaded himself in his home in New Costessey,
Norfolk. A 32-hour standoff ensued, as Cawston issued a list of
demands, but police finally arrested him without any gunshots being
fired.
Cambridge News,
8 November 2011
Stephen
Easey has been banned from driving for three years after police caught
him sleeping in a car while drunk in Cambridge. Easey, who
admitted to heavy drinking and using cocaine, was also in possession of
an air rifle. He was found guilty of
failure to provide a specimen and keeping the weapon, while the charge
of possessing the air rifle in a public place was reportedly dropped due
to lack of evidence. In addition to the driving ban, Easy was also fined
£645.
Daily Mail,
6 November 2011
Karl
Blennerhassett has been jailed for two years for illegal possession of
antique weapons in West Lancashire. The gun collector, who owns
more than 140 guns, was discovered to own four modified
air rifles without a license. The
sentencing judge noted that antiques -- which are legal despite their
lethal ability -- must be taken seriously, because 'one of the great
tragedies on Merseyside involved an old firearm.' He was referring to
Rhys Jones, an 11-year-old who was killed in 2007 (BBC
News, 23 August 2007).
Dudley News, 2 November 2011
John
Fradgley has been handed a conditional discharge after possessing an
air pistol in a public place. He was
involved in an incident outside a leisure centre in Dudley where
he was caught in possession of the weapon.
Bristol Evening Post,
2 November
2011
Darren
Francis, Lee Bedford and Matthew Grant pleaded guilty to burglary after
an incident in which they stole a television from a 16-year-old who had
threatened them with an air rifle at
them. After the teenager aimed an airgun at the group in Bedminster,
Bristol, they chased him into his house, then stole his TV. The three
burglars were each fined
£915.
BBC News, 1 November 2011
Ryan
Coombes admitted robbery, attempted robbery, possessing a firearm and
escaping from prison in Nottingham. After he made his escape,
Coombes attempted to carry out armed robberies on two shops. He was
caught after police found him in his vehicle with an
air pistol and other weapons. He was
sentenced to indefinite time in jail and will serve a minimum of two
years and two months.
Daily Mail, 28 October 2011
Eric
Reeves, 68, admitted causing unnecessary suffering after he shot his
neighbour's cat with an air rifle in
Norfolk. The airgun pellet punctured the cat's intestine but it
survived. Reeves, a 'bird lover' who apparently shot the cat for chasing
birds, was ordered to do 100 hours of unpaid work and was fined
£400.
The Sentinel, 19 October 2011
Anthony
Chapman has been jailed for two years and six months for possessing
prohibited firearms and ammunition in Westlands, Staffordshire.
Among the items recovered by police were a pair of
airguns. The former police officer and arms dealer was
convicted after police raided Chapman's home on two occasions, with the
charges typically resulting in a minimum of five years imprisonment
because some of the weapons he possessed had lethal capability. However,
the court considered Chapman's circumstances exceptional, as he is a
66-year-old antiques collector.
The Sentinel, 15 October 2011
Steven
Salt, 18, has been sentenced to an 18-week prison sentence and 100 hours
of unpaid community work after he shot a pigeon in a park in
Staffordshire for a meal. The homeless 18-year-old shot the bird
twice with a loaded air weapon
before police responded to an alarm raised by a member of the public.
Salt admitted possession of a loaded air weapon and shooting the gun in
a public park.
Manchester Evening News, 4 October 2011
Marc
Billingham has been jailed for 10 years for selling guns in Moss Side,
Manchester. Undercover police had set up a fake shop in the area and,
through a series of dealings, were supplied two functional handguns as
well as an air pistol, an
imitation firearm and bullets.
Elliott Harrison, who drove Billingham to and from one of the
transactions, was jailed for five years for possessing a firearm.
Peterlee Mail, 4 October 2011
Paul
Skidmore and Craig Short have been jailed for seven years and four
months and six years, respectively. Both were convicted of two counts of
robbery, possession of a firearm and laptop theft. Skidmore threatened
his uncle with an air rifle while
Short held a knife to the man in Hartlepool in May as the pair
attempted to steal money and drugs. Skidmore also struck his uncle on
the eye with the butt of the gun. They assaulted another man three days
later along with a third offender, Robert Beevers, who was sentenced to
a 18-month community order for theft of a laptop and possession of
cannabis.
Bolton News, 16 September 2011
David
Johns has been found guilty of possessing firearms and ammunition when
prohibited. Johns, who is banned from keeping
airguns for five years after being jailed for nearly three
years following a pair of assaults, had two airguns in his pub in
Bolton. Police discovered the prohibited weapons during a search for
cannabis that went unsuccessful. A judge noted that due to Johns'
previous sentence, he will not be jailed for this crime.
Northampton Chronicle, 5 September 2011
Ashley
Sumner has been given an extended order in a psychiatric hospital and is
expected to be given a permanent hospital order later this month. Sumner
shot at police with an air rifle in
Wellingborough, Northamptonshire in September 2010. Sumner, who
is described as a paranoid schizophrenic, admitted to hearing voices and
had confronted a woman with a hammer before challenging police to shoot
him as he waved the airgun above his head.
Liverpool Echo, 1 September 2011
Dene
Galloway, 19, was sent to a Young Offenders' Institute for three and a
half years after committing armed robbery in Prescot, near
Liverpool. The teenager used an air pistol
to raid a shop hours after bingeing on cocaine for the first time.
The Sentinel,
29 July 2011
Anthony
Jones has been convicted of possession of an imitation firearm with
intent to cause fear of violence and communicating false information
with intent. Jones was sentenced to a two-year community order and fined
£500
after he made a hoax call of a house fire in Stoke, as well as
claiming to have a bomb and a gun. The drunken man proceeded to wave an
airgun in the air as firefighters
arrived and was eventually detained by police officers.
Liverpool Echo,
23 July 2011
Paul
Brennan has been jailed for seven years after robbing a store in
Liverpool in September 2010. Brennan assaulted a shop worker as he
brandished an air pistol and smashed
the security glass. The judge cited sustained psychological damage
suffered by the woman who was alone running the shop, as well as the
presence of terrified children, in the sentencing.
BBC
News,
21 July 2011
A
73-year-old woman in Kent chased a burglar out of her home with
her husband's air rifle. The
burglar, Malcolm Haben, was caught by police and sentenced to five years
in jail for committing three burglaries. Police said the woman, whose
husband owns the gun legally, had been 'brave,' but advised people in
such a situation to phone 999.
Staffordshire Newsletter,
20 July 2011
David
Newton has been jailed for five years for blackmail, conspiracy to
supply cannabis and possessing a prohibited firearm. Newton and Dean
Tunnicliff, jailed 30 months for blackmail and conspiracy to supply
cannabis, had threatened to shoot a fellow conspirator after their
supply was stolen from a building in Staffordshire. Police
recovered an illegal, high-powered air rifle
from Newton's home.
Malvern Gazette,
19 July 2011
Dale
Clark, 18, has been jailed for ten months for possession of a firearm
with intent to cause fear of violence in Malvern, Worcestershire.
He reportedly threatened a man with an air
rifle after losing his temper following a row.
Rochdale Online,
15 July 2011
Six men
aged 22 to 42 have been jailed after police recovered loaded guns from a
convoy of three cars in Manchester in November 2010. Amar Murtaza,
Atiq Arif and Peter Maguire were sentenced to 12 years each for
possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and possession of
ammunition with intent to endanger life. Daryl Maguire, Steven Yates and
Perry Curtis each received five years for similar charges. The group
were traveling with a shotgun and an
air pistol capable of causing death,
as well as a machete.
North West Evening Mail,
11
January 2012
Daniel
Adams has been found guilty of possessing an
air rifle with intent to cause fear of violence. Adams
threatened another man with the airgun in Barrow, Lancashire
after the victim confronted Adams at Adams' home. The incident was the
result of a dispute over the victim's son, who lives with Adams. The
victim reportedly grabbed the loaded weapon and left the house with it
before police got involved.
Swindon Advertiser,
9 July 2011
Peter
Gallagher has admitted possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of
violence in Swindon. He confronted youngsters with an
air weapon in May. A judge initially
suspended sentence due to further investigation into the incident.
Scotsman News,
7 July 2011
Brian
McGeechan, 21, has been jailed for five years and four months after he
shot a man five times with an airgun
in Glasgow, permanently blinding the victim in one eye. The
incident took place outside a bar in February.
BBC News,
5 July 2011
Johnathon
Foster has been convicted of recklessly discharging an
air pistol. He fired it several
times as fans arrived for a football match at Tynecastle Stadium in
Edinburgh in August 2010. He will be sentenced next month.
SCOTLAND
Dumbarton
Reporter, 29 January 2013
John Scott
has been jailed for five months for carrying an
air rifle in the grounds of Vale of
Leven Hospital in Alexandria, West Dunbartonshire. Staff called
police after he and another man were seen dressed in camouflage and
carrying the rifle on hospital grounds.
The Courier,
10 January 2013
Akram
Arebi has been ordered to pay a £600 fine and to forfeit his
air rifle and ammunition after he
used the firearm to illegally shoot and kill a pheasant on a farm in
Auchterarder, Perth and Kinross. He claimed not to know he required
permission to shoot in the area after he was discovered with the weapon
by a farm worker.
Stirling Observer, 7 November 2012
Sean
Waddelow, 19, has been fined £180 for using an
airgun to shoot at a property in Carron Valley,
Stirling. Waddelow, who has learning difficulties and Asperger's
Syndrome, fired a shot from the window of a vehicle on the way back from
shooting rabbits with a group of friends. The pellet smashed the windows
of the cottage but no one inside was injured.
Daily Record, 28 October 2012
Terence
Carvell, 56, has been convicted of the possession of prohibited guns and
ammunition at his home in Milton of Campsie, East Dunbartonshire.
Officers found three AK-47 assault rifles, a Rossi five-shot
revolver and over 2000 rounds of ammunition which police believed may
have been intended for use in gang disputes over drugs. Carvell was also
found to possess a large number of legal weapons, including 69
airguns, 11
replica firearms, 10
deactivated guns and an antique gun.
Stirling Observer,
21 September
2012
James Barnes and Alexander
Sloan have pleaded guilty to shooting a man in the face during a robbery
in Buchlyvie, Stirling and assaulting a shopowner in a robbery in
Glasgow. They threatened the shopworker who had been serving a
customer with a knife and an air rifle
before shooting him in the face and hitting him with lead pellets from
the gun. They made off in a car with bottles of vodka but were stopped
by police who had been called by the worker. The victim required surgery
but was expected to be left with permanent scarring.
BBC News, 20 September
2012
Stephen Crawford
and Darren McDevitt have been convicted of the murder of a man in West
Dunbartonshire in which they stabbed him and shot him with an
airgun in Renton, West
Dunbartonshire. Crawford arranged to meet the victim on a cycle path after
a party all 3 had attended where the pair stabbed him multiple times and
shot him in the buttock with an air rifle before removing his clothing and
dumping his body in the river, where it was found the next day.
The Scotsman,
21
July 2012
Paul
Fannon has been given a five-year driving ban, with two years'
supervision, and ordered to do 180 hours of unpaid work and pay £150,
after police found an air rifle when
they arrested him for driving over the limit twice in a one-month
period. A high-powered air rifle fitted with a scope and a silencer were
discovered in the boot of his car when it was stopped and searched in
Livingston, West Lothian. The gun, his car and a motorbike were all
confiscated.
Stirling Observer,
3 February
2012
David
Dickson pleaded guilty to recklessly discharging a firearm after her
accidentally fired an air rifle at
two victims in Perthshire. Dickson, who had reportedly never used
the weapon before, was experimenting when it accidentally shot, hitting
a boat carrying two fishermen. He was fined
£600.
STV, 13 January 2012
Michael
Hannah, 20, admitted culpably and recklessly firing an
airgun and placing children in a
state of fear. Hannah shot the air weapon at a group of kids in Nairn,
Highland after they threw snowballs at his front door. He initially
threatened the children, aged 12 to 15, by brandishing a knife, then
fired 'warning shots' with the airgun. A judge deferred sentence because
his girlfriend threw him out of the home he had defended.
Scotsman,
28 October 2011
Paul
Purves will be sentenced for committing armed robbery in Edinburgh.
In September 2008 he assaulted a woman in her car, threatening her with
an air pistol and stealing her purse
and car. Purves initially jumped bail and fled the country, but was
arrested in Ireland in April of this year.
WALES
South Wales Evening Post, 23 November 2012
Ryan Lewis
Morgan has been given a 12-month community order with supervision and a
3-month curfew, and been ordered to attend a thinking skills programme
and pay £85 costs and £100 compensation to a man he shot with an
air weapon in Port Talbot, West
Glamorgan. He caused a puncture wound in the victim's abdomen when he
fired the .177 air rifle through the letterbox of his home, after an
argument with his mother that exacerbate mental health problems from
which he was suffering.
Wales Online, 27 October 2012
Keiron
Williams, 39, has been jailed for three years and banned from
possessing weapons for flashing a realistic
imitation weapon and making threats outside a nightclub in
Cardiff. He pleaded guilty to possessing the imitation firearm with
intent to cause fear and three airguns
without a certificate. His
collection of weapons was also destroyed.
Daily Post,
28
September 2012
Three teenage men
have been jailed for a total of 24 years for shooting a farmer with his
own gun during a robbery at his home in the village of Rhydyclafdy,
Gwynedd. The masked robbers held an air
rifle to the neck of the 55-year-old victim, beat him up as
he lay on the floor, and ransacked his home when he told them he did not
have the valuables they believed to be in the property. They left after
he grabbed the gun but one returned and shot him in the leg with one of
two shotguns he had stolen from the
victim's attic. The robbers escaped with cash, cheques and the weapons
and the victim drove himself to his neighbours before receiving
emergency hospital treatment for his wounds.
Daily Mail,
24 September
2012
Gareth James Sale
was given a 32-week suspended sentence and a 12-month supervision order
with 200 hours paid work and ordered to pay £250 costs for threatening
customers with an air rifle at his
pub in Penrhyndeudraeth, Gwynedd. The landlord produced the
weapon and loaded it with an air cannister to scare customers who
refused to order their drinks in English from his then partner, who did
not speak Welsh. He was relocated to a pub in the West Midlands by his
employers.
BBC News,
20 July 2012
Steven
Barrett, 66, has been jailed for three-and-a-half years after a rifle
that had been shortened to operate as a handgun and illegal expanding
ammunition were found inside his van. The weapons were found when his
vehicle was stopped after a clash between hunters, including Barrett,
and protesters near Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire. A protester
claimed to have been shot in the head during the incident, but no one
was charged with the shooting. A search of his home unearthed 10
air rifles and six
air pistols, one of which had been
modified to have extra power. Barrett's sentence was reduced from the
five-year minimum for firearms offences due to his age and failing
health.
The Flintshire Chronicle,
12 July 2012
Stephen
Ellis has been jailed for three years after firing shots at police
officers with a .22 air rifle during
an incident at a property in Buckley, Flintshire. Officers were
called after Ellis was allegedly assaulted by his neighbour, who Ellis
suspected was responsible for the disappearance of his dog, and began to
assemble an air rifle, crossbow, catapult and an axe. Police fired baton
rounds in an attempt to restrain Ellis, but he fired shots at the
officers and a member of the public and pointed the gun directly at
them, before surrendering.
South Wales Argus,
1
March 2012
Connor
Davies, 18, has been jailed for one year and four months for inflicting
grievous bodily harm after he shot a 12-year-old boy with an
airgun in Newport. Davies
shot at the victim from his bedroom window and hit him in the eye with a
pellet, permanently removing most visibility.
This is South Wales, 4 November 2011
Shaheur
Rahman, 19, who lives in Tower Hamlets, east London, has been
jailed for two and a half years for assault causing actual bodily harm
and possessing a firearm. He shot another Londoner with an
airgun while the two were both in
Swansea. One day after legally buying the weapon in Swansea, Rahman
shot the victim five times in what the court referred to as a
'pre-planned revenge attack.'
Flintshire Chronicle,
1 July 2011
Ben Jones,
19, was sentenced to three years in youth custody after holding up a
petrol station with an airgun in
Ewloe. Jones stole cash and battered the shop staff member on the
head before fleeing on 30 May. He then posted messages on Facebook
boasting of his crime as he fled from police.
Incidents Involving Animals
Your Local
Guardian, 6 June 2013
Armed
officers were deployed after they were called to the scene by member of
the public who witnessed a group of men firing guns in Morden,
south London. When police reached the scene they discovered a group of
builders who appeared to be shooting pigeons with
air rifles on private property, and
therefore acting within the law.
Oxford Mail,
6 June 2013
A
thirteen-year-old cat was shot in the stomach with an
air rifle near his home in East
Hendred, Oxfordshire. The pellets pierced his abdomen in four
different places and he needed an operation for his wounds.
Manchester
Evening News, 6 June 2013
A
six-year-old cat was shot 16 times by a group armed with
air rifles and
BB guns in Glossop, Derbyshire. He survived the
attack and underwent surgery to remove the pellets.
Carmarthen
Journal, 5 June 2013
A cat has
been shot in the head with an air rifle
near his home in Carmarthen, Wales. He survived the
attack but the pellet penetrated his skull and lodged in the bone above
the roof of his mouth. He underwent surgery but vets were unable to
remove the pellet.
News Shopper,
4 June 2013
A
four-and-a-half year old cat has been shot in the leg and abdomen with
an airgun in Bexleyheath,
east London. One of the two pointed pellets tore through her bowel and
she required a series of operations for her wounds.
The Argus,
11 May 2013
Five
badgers have been found dead in a National Park in Brighton,
Sussex. The animals were all lying within five metres of one another and
they are believed to have been either shot with an
air rifle or poisoned. The founder of
the East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service, said the bloating
of their bodies was consistent with internal injuries that could have
been caused by the impact of pellets, and that it was likely the bodies
had been deliberately placed closed together.
Tamworth
Herald,
3 May 2013
Two cats
have been shot in separate incidents within three weeks of each other in
Tamworth, Staffordshire. A 10-year-old cat was shot in the leg
and needed surgery to remove the bullet and rebuild his shattered bone.
A two-year-old was later shot in the eye with an
air rifle and had to be put down due to
the severity of his injuries.
Hendon
&
Finchley
Times, 2 May 2013
A cat has
been shot in the leg with an air rifle
near her home in Finchley Central, north London. She survived
the attack but the pellet shattered one of the bones in her leg.
BBC
News, 30 April
2013
A cat was
shot in the leg with an air rifle in
Armadale, West Lothian. A pellet lodged in the wound and had to
be removed at a veterinary surgery.
Eastern
Daily Press,
27 April 2013
A
two-year-old cat has been shot dead with an air
rifle just outside her home in
Scarning, Norfolk. She was shot in the chest, and the pellet
broke her pelvis and severed her spine.
Chorley
Guardian, 25
April 2013
Four lambs
were shot dead with a suspected high-powered
air rifle at a country park in Chorley, Lancashire.
The three-week-old lambs were all shot in the head or neck and found
shortly after the shooting.
Leicester Mercury,
25
April 2013
A cat was
shot in the spine with an airgun in
Welford, Northamptonshire. The eight-year-old survived the attack,
but had to undergo emergency surgery and was left paralysed and in
intensive care.
This is Total Essex,
15 April
2013
A cat was
shot at close range with what police believed to be an
air rifle near his home in Seven
Acres, Essex. The 11-year-old pet's injuries were so severe that he
had to be put down.
BBC News,
15 April 2013
A
one-year-old cat has been shot in the face with an
air rifle near his home in Ferndown,
Dorset. He needed surgery to remove a pellet that was embedded in his
head behind his eye, and the RSPCA stated that he was "lucky to be
alive". The charity also reported that a number of similar incidents had
recently taken place in the same area.
The Portsmouth
News, 4 April 2013
A male
swan has been shot to death with an air rifle
over a lake in Portsmouth, Hampshire. It was shot five times and
was attacked by other swans when it crashed into the lake. It was
rescued but had to be put down as it had sustained severe pellet
injuries to its body and leg and a broken beak.
Wigan
Today,
2 April 2013
An
18-month-old cat has been shot in the leg with an
air rifle in Leigh, Greater
Manchester. The pellet shattered her bone and she will need to spend
eight weeks confined to a cage in order to allow the injury to heal.
News Shopper,
29 March 2013
A
three-year-old cat has been shot in the back with an
air rifle near his home in Lewisham,
east London. The pellet lodged close to his spine and he has been
left unable to walk properly.
Daily Mail,
29 March 2013
A Belgian
Blue cow that escaped from her field has been shot dead by police
marksmen in Grantham, Lincolnshire. The animal reportedly jumped
fences and charged at people before being taken down by four police sniper
shots in a car park near a school in the town. The cow's owner
reportedly gave police permission for the animal to be killed after she
became distressed and aggressive.
BBC News,
28 March 2013
A dog has
survived an attack in which it was shot 17 times with an
airgun near Standish, Greater
Manchester. It sustained a punctured lung and a broken leg bone, and an
RSPCA inspector said it was "lucky to be alive".
Shropshire
Star, 23 March 2013
A
nine-month-old cat has been shot twice in the face with an
air rifle in Shrewsbury,
Shropshire. One of the pellets damaged his eye and it had to be
surgically removed, while the other became embedded in his left cheek.
Gloucestershire
Echo, 21 March 2013
A
two-year-old cat has been shot dead near his home in Lechdale,
Gloucestershire. The pellet damaged his internal organs and he died from
severe blood loss.
Hemel
Gazette,
19 March 2013
A pet cat
has been found shot dead and mutilated in Hemel Hempstead,
Hertfordshire. She is believed to have been shot in the chest at
close range with an airgun and to
have had her ear and tail cut off and removed by her assailants after
she was dead.
Tewkesbury
Admag, 15 March 2013
A
two-year-old cat has been shot in the face with an
airgun near Pershore, Worcestershire. He required
surgery to remove the metal .22 calibre pellet from his chin.
Central
Somerset
Gazette, 15 March 2013
A cat has
been shot through the stomach with an airgun
near her home in Street, Somerset. She survived the attack but
required an operation on the wound in her abdomen.
Herts
and
Essex Observer, 14 March 2013
A
nine-year-old cat has been shot a total of five times with an
airgun in two separate attacks in
Stanstead, Essex. He underwent two emergency surgeries to remove
three pellets from his leg and two from his abdomen that had been lodged
there for at least a week. Vets reported that his injuries might not heal.
Bradford
Telegraph
& Argus, 14 March 2013
A farmer
has killed two dogs with a bolt gun after they strayed onto his farm in
Oxenhope, West Yorkshire. The dogs had been found by a dog walker
after they ran from their owner and were given to the farmer to pass on to the
dog warden. The farmer was arrested on suspicion of causing criminal
damage but contends the shooting was within the law, as he believed the
dogs had killed three of his lambs and shot them in a humane manner.
York Press,
8 March 2013
A cat has
been shot for the second time in two years near his home in York.
The four-year-old pet was hit in the spine and needed an operation to
remove an inch-long pellet.
Nottingham
Post, 6 March 2013
A swan has
been shot dead with a rifle at a pond in Forest Town,
Nottinghamshire. Witnesses reported hearing a shot and seeing a man
with a gun bag leaving the area. The body of the dead bird was found by
an RSPCA inspector who attended the scene.
Watford
Observer,
1 March 2013
A
three-year-old cat has been shot in the legs with an
air rifle on a street in Watford,
Hertfordshire. The metal pellet is reported to have left her "seriously
injured".
Pontefract
& Castleford Express, 28 February 2013
A swan has
died after it was shot in the back of the head with an
air rifle on a pond in Knottingley,
West Yorkshire. The bird was found dying in the middle of the pond with
its mate by two swan sanctuary volunteers and although they brought to
shore it was unable to be saved. The volunteers report witnessing a man
carrying with air rifle leaving the scene as they arrived.
Peterborough
Telegraph, 27 February 2013
A cat was
shot in the leg with an air rifle in
Peterborough, Cambridgeshire. She required an operation to remove
a pellet from her leg.
Bournemouth
Echo, 26 February 2013
A cat has
lost her tail after being shot with an airgun
in Wimborne Minster, Dorset. The pellet caused nerve damage to
her tail and it had to be removed to prevent paralysis. The pet survived
her life-threatening injuries and recovered a limited ability to walk.
The Northern
Echo, 24 February 2013
An
air rifle was reportedly used to
shatter windows and to shoot a dog in Bishop Auckland, County
Durham. Police have appealed for information.
Look Local,
19 February 2013
A cat has
been shot in the head with an airgun
near his home in Sheffield, South Yorkshire. The three-year-old
pet survived the attack.
Plymouth
Herald,
3 February 2013
Two cats
owned by the same family were shot with an air
rifle within a week of each other near their home in
Plymouth, Devon. The male cat was left with a pellet lodged in his
thigh which could not be removed without causing nerve damage whereas
the female cat had pellet fragments in the wound in her face. Both cats
survived the shootings.
Daily Mail,
11 January 2013
A
three-year-old cat was shot in the leg at close range with an
airgun in Hucknall,
Nottinghamshire. The pellet shattered his thigh bone into 20 pieces but
his leg was glued and pinned back together in an operation.
Ealing Gazette,
10 January 2013
A cat has
been left paralysed after it was shot with an
air rifle in Ealing, west London. He was shot in the
spine and has been left currently unable to walk.
Melton Times,
10 January 2013
A cat has
been shot in the shoulder with an airgun
near his home in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. The
seven-year-old required treatment for an injury to his bone, and he has
been left with a permanent limp.
Eastern
Daily
Press, 4 January 2013
An
18-month-old cat has died after she was shot with what was believed to
be a gas-powered air rifle near her
home in Caister-on-Sea, Norfolk. She sustained a punctured lung
and was taken to the vets but died from her internal injuries.
Guide &
Gazette, 17 November 2012
A nine-month old
cat has died after being shot with an airgun
in Monifieth, Angus. He was shot through the intestine and spleen
and had to be put down after he contracted an infection. A local
councillor Margaret Thomson said that the “use and ownership of air
rifles should be tightly controlled as they are dangerous and could
easily kill or severely injure someone".
Stratford-upon-Avon Herald, 11 November 2012
An
18-month-old cat has been shot with a suspected
airgun pellet in Beaudesert, Warwickshire. His eye
was damaged and had to be removed. Vets were unable to extract the
pellet from his skull without causing further injury.
Ealing Gazette, 7
November
2012
A cat has
been shot with an air rifle near her
home in Greenford, west London. The pellet fractured her jaw and
she will require complicated surgery to rebuild it. The 18-month-old had
already been shot in the foot the previous year, when two other cats in
the family were also injured in airgun attacks.
The Scotsman, 7
November
2012
Two cats
have been shot in airgun attacks in
Stirling, Scotland. One cat was shot in the shoulder and vets
said she would make a full recovery after the pellet was removed. The
other cat had to be put down after it was found, with a broken back
caused by the shooting and suffering from hypothermia, in a box outside
the veterinary surgery. In response to the shootings, the SSPCA
reiterated its belief in the need for a complete ban on airguns.
Gwent Gazette,
25 October 2012
Two cats
from the same family have been shot with an air
rifle in Nantyglo, Blaenau Gwent. The ten-month-year-old
was killed after the pellet caused her to develop peritonitis. A second pet was shot
in the leg, and should recover with treatment.
The Sentinel,
23 October 2012
A cat has
been shot with a air rifle near his
home in Newcastle, Staffordshire. He survived the attack but
required stitches after vets removed a pellet from his shoulder.
The Sentinel,
22 October 2012
Two youths
were reported to have been shooting geese with what appeared to be
air rifles at a canal in Baddeley
Green, Staffordshire. Armed police were despatched to the area to
search for the suspects and have identified one suspect, but have not yet
made an arrest.
Melton Times,
11 October 2012
A
three-year-old cat has been shot in the neck with an
airgun in Melton, Leicestershire. She was shot at
close range and required surgery to remove the pellet.
News & Star, 5 October
2012
The Royal
Society for the Protection of Birds has published figures of recorded crimes
against wildlife in 2011. It highlighted in particular the
killing of birds of prey, including fatal shootings of a red kite and of
a tawny owl with an airgun in Cumbria. The RSPB has called for changes to laws and
their enforcement aimed at preventing the illegal persecution of wildlife,
with a focus on the current review of wildlife protection legislation by
the Law Commission.
The
Press, 5 October
2012
A cat was
shot in the leg with an airgun in
Wheldrake, York. The pellet shattered the four-year-old's femur and
she had to be put down.
The Argus,
4 October
2012
A
cat has lost an eye after being shot in the face with an airgun
in Worthing, West Sussex. Vets also discovered another
pellet in the three-year-old's chest from an unsuspected prior shooting.
His owners have started a Facebook campaign against cat shooting, and
Worthing and District Animal Rescue Service is offering a £500 reward for
information that assists in a conviction.
Teesdale Mercury,
1 October 2012
A
cat has been shot in the neck with an airgun
in Newsham, North Yorkshire. She survived the attack and has
made a full recovery.
Runcorn & Widnes Weekly News,
27 September
2012
A cat has
been shot through the abdomen with an airgun
in Runcorn, Cheshire. The four-year-old required an operation to fix
tears to his bowel, liver and diaphragm, during which two pellets from
previous shootings were discovered lodged in his stomach. Another cat in
the family was shot and killed with an airgun three years ago.
Redbridge News,
27 September
2012
A cat was
injured with an airgun in
Wanstead, east London
after residents heard shots being fired in the area. The six-year-old
pet survived the incident.
Express & Star,
22 September
2012
A
three-year-old cat was shot in the abdomen with an
air rifle in Hednesford, Staffordshire. He was said to
be in 'critical condition' after the pellet damaged his intestine and
lodged in his knee.
Cambridge News,
13 September
2012
A cat was
shot twice with an air rifle in
Coveney, Cambridgeshire. The three-year-old pet survived the attack but
one of the pellets lodged in her chest and she required surgery.
Herne Bay Times,
13 September
2012
A cat has
died after it was shot in the leg and back with an
airgun in Herne Bay, Kent. He
was also targeted in an incident six months earlier in which another car
was killed by being shot with an airgun. As a result of both attacks, he
was left with four pellets in his body and a broken leg and had to be
put down. A few days later another cat was shot in the area, but
survived the incident.
Knutsford Guardian,
12 September
2012
An
eight-year-old cat has been shot with an air rifle
in Knutsford, Cheshire. His front leg had to be amputated after
the pellet shattered the bone.
Surrey Comet,
10 September
2012
A cat who
was five-weeks pregnant was shot twice with a high-powered
air rifle in Mitcham, south
west London. Vets were unable to remove the pellets from the one-year-old
due to the risk to her unborn kittens.
Stourbridge News,
6 September
2012
Two cats
have been injured in separate airgun
shootings in the area of Stourbridge, West Midlands. An
18-month-year-old was shot through her intestine and required emergency
surgery. A six-year-old cat was left with a pellet lodged near his heart
which was too expensive and dangerous to remove. His owner has begun a
petition calling for a system of registration for air weapons:
http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/38193.
Staffordshire Newsletter,
2 September
2012
An owl was
found with lead poisoning after being shot with either an
airgun or a BB
gun near Cannock, Staffordshire. The bird required an
operation to remove her eye and will have to be hand-fed for the rest of
her life.
Bicester Advertiser & Review,
24 August
2012
A
cat was shot twice in the head with an airgun in
Buckingham, sustaining damage to his eye.
The Courier,
21 August
2012
Two
cats from the same household have been shot with an
air rifle in Brechin, Wales.
Both pets survived the shooting but one required surgery.
Cornish Guardian,
17 August
2012
A
seven-year-old cat was
shot three times with an airgun in
Bodmin, Cornwall. The pet underwent surgery to removed the pellets
from its abdomen but was still struggling to eat or drink.
Luton News Herald & Post,
17 August
2012
A cat from
Sundon, Bedfordshire had to undergo surgery to remove three pellets
from his chest and leg. The pellets were found in old wounds,
suggesting that the cat had been shot on more than one occasion. Another cat from the household was shot with an
air rifle in March (see
March incidents).
Herts and Essex Observer,
16 August
2012
Police
have been investigating after a three-year-old cat was shot with a
high-powered air rifle in Sawbrideworth,
Hertfordshire less than a month after a similar attack in nearby
Bishop's Stortford. He survived the attack but was left with a
severely splintered leg bone.
South Wales Guardian,
15 August 2012
A
cat was shot with a pellet gun in Ammanford, Wales. The
cat's leg was broken in the attack and officers are investigating the
shooting.
Epsom Guardian,
11 August 2012
A
six-year-old cat was shot in the stomach with an
air rifle in Epsom Downs,
Surrey. He survived the incident but had to have surgery to remove part
of his stomach.
South Wales Evening Post,
10 August
2012
A
three-year-old cat has been shot in the leg with a pellet gun in Betws,
Wales. He survived the attack but the pellet broke the bone in his
leg.
Mansfield and Ashfield Chad,
10 August
2012
Two cats
have been shot with air rifles near
their home in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The first cat was
shot in the eye leaving a pellet embedded at the top of his spine. The second victim was shot in the head but the pellet was removed and
both cats should make a full recovery.
Ardrossan Herald,
9 August 2012
A cat was shot
with a pellet gun in the back garden of its own home in Ardrossan,
Scotland while its owner was out of the house.
Gwent Gazette,
9 August
2012
A
three-year-old cat was shot with an air rifle
in Abertillery, Wales. She survived but sustained serious
injuries and had to be operated on to remove the pellet.
Tandridge Mirror,
9 August
2012
A cat was
shot with an air rifle in
Caterham, Surrey. The victim had to undergo surgery to remove
two pellets from her broken leg. The injury may leave the cat
permanently lame.
Boston Standard,
7 August
2012
A cat was
shot in the face in
Fishtoft, Lincolnshire. His owners suspected he had been run
over when he sustained a jaw injury, but X-rays revealed multiple
pellets believed to have been fired from either a
shotgun or an
airgun. He had to be put to sleep due to the extent of
his injuries.
Leatherhead Advertiser, 6 August 2012
A cat has died
after being shot with an air rifle in
Capel, Surrey. The pellet punctured her lung. The
victim was taken to the vet but did not survive the attack.
The Falkirk Herald,
2 August 2012
A 13-year-old cat
has died after being shot seven times in the head and in its leg with an
airgun. The cat made his way
back to his home in Reddingmuirhead, Scotland but later died from
his injuries.
The Falkirk Herald,
2 August 2012
A cat has been shot in the
leg with an airgun in Slamannan,
Scotland. He survived the attack.
BBC
News,
1 August 2012
A six-week-old cat
was shot twice in the head with an
airgun in Ringmer,
East Sussex. She survived the attack but needed surgery to remove the
pellets and has been left with a hole in her head.
Boston Target,
25 July 2012
A cat was
shot with an airgun in Mablethorpe,
Lincolnshire. The pellet caused extensive damage to her side and
diaphragm before it lodged in her lung. The veterinary practice said her
lungs will be permanently damaged if she survives and confirmed that
another cat suffered a fractured femur after being shot with an air rifle
in the same area in June this year.
The Star,
17 July 2012
Two cats
from the same home in Stannington, Sheffield were both shot with an
airgun within a four month period.
Both pets survived but the seven-year-old lost his eye and the
five-year-old required surgery to remove a damaged kidney.
Thurrock Gazette,
17 July 2012
A
family of four swans is believed to have been shot dead with an
air rifle in Aveley, Essex. Their
bodies were
found by an RSPCA inspector who had been alerted by a member of the
public.
Cornish Guardian,
13 July 2012
A horse has
been wounded and two cats killed with the same .22
air rifle in St Columb Minor,
Cornwall. A kitten is also reported to have lost a lung after being shot
in the same area a few months earlier.
Leicester Mercury,
12 July 2012
A
six-year-old cat has been shot with an airgun
in Leicester Forest East, Leicestershire. He had surgery to repair
damage to his abdomen and bowel but may not recover as he suffers from
haemophilia.
Halifax Courier,
11 July 2012
A
three-and-a-half year old cat has died after she was was shot with an
airgun for the second time in
Norwood Green, West Yorkshire. She was shot in the side and tail and
had to be put down after having already had surgery to remove a pellet
from her liver from a shooting a year before.
BBC News,
7 July 2012
A seven-year-old
cat had to be put down after it was paralysed by two shots from what was
believed to be an airgun in
Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire.
Nottingham Post,
7 July 2012
A four-year-old
cat from Bircotes, Nottinghamshire has been shot with an
air rifle. The pellet was lodged
behind his tonsils and he had to have surgery to remove his eye. Squirrels have reportedly also been found dead in the area.
Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser,
4 July 2012
The Scottish
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) officer found a
cat who had been shot with an air rifle
in Chapelhall, North Lanarkshire. She survived the attack but had
to have surgery to remove a pellet lodged in her head and also suffered a
hip fracture.
Get Bracknell,
25 June 2012
An Egyptian
goose was shot with an airgun in
Berkshire. The bird was left with a pellet near her heart that can't
be removed, and since she will never fly again she will not be returned to
the wild.
Merthyr Express,
21 June 2012
Two cats
were shot with airguns in Merthyr
Vale, Wales, as one was killed and the other injured. The attacks took
place within two days, as the second victim died when pellets ruptured his
bladder.
Liverpool Echo,
20 June 2012
A cat was
shot with an air rifle in Huyton,
Merseyside. The animal suffered a cracked rib and internal injuries, but
she survived after an emergency operation to remove part of her liver.
Rugby Observer,
19 June 2012
A cat was
shot and killed with a pellet gun in
Long Lawford, Warwickshire. The pet was found dead with a single
pellet wound on the left side of his body.
Wakefield Express,
17 June 2012
A
30-year-old pet parrot was shot in the wing in Outwood, West
Yorkshire. Police said the weapon used was probably a
BB gun. He was treated for the injury
and expected to recover.
Telegraph,
16 June 2012
A man who
killed a neighbour's dog in Cheshire was cleared of any wrongdoing.
He used a shotgun to kill the dog
after it allegedly killed one of his sheep.
Batley News,
15 June 2012
A cat was
shot with an airgun in Dewsbury,
West Yorkshire. She was shot in the side and the local vet confirmed she
had been shot with an air rifle.
Ashbourne News Telegraph,
12 June 2012
A cat was
shot twice with an airgun in
Denstone,
Staffordshire. He was wounded in the left eye and neck by the attack, and
has lost sight in the eye as a result.
Western Telegraph,
11 June 2012
A horse was
shot with an airgun in Goodwick
Moor,
Pembrokeshire. The horse was wounded in the right side of its chest as a
pellet was left embedded in the animal.
Spenborough Guardian,
10 June 2012
A cat was
shot with an airgun in Cleckheaton,
West Yorkshire. The pet, who was left with a pellet lodged in his skull
when he was shot on a previous occasion months earlier, recovered from the
recent attack after an operation.
Blackpool Gazette,
4 June 2012
A cat was shot with an airgun in
Blackpool. The attack comes two months after the animal's owners
had another pet cat shot and killed by an air rifle.
This is Local London,
2 June 2012
A pigeon was shot with an airgun in
Weybridge, Surrey. The bird was a local favourite at a hair salon,
where he was found wounded by an airgun pellet. He received treatment from
the Wildlife Aid Foundation in nearby Leatherhead.
Hertfordshire Mercury,
1 June 2012
A pet owner
reported a series of gun attacks on pets in Hertfordshire,
including two of her cats. An airgun
and BB gun were apparently both used
in the attacks, which resulted in several bullet wounds to the animals.
Cambridge News,
30 May 2012
Armed
police were called to Barnwell Business Park, Cambridge following
reports of a gunman. A man with an
air rifle was discovered shooting vermin on his premises and
told by police to be careful.
Northampton Chronicle,
21 May 2012
A seven
month old cat has been shot in the stomach with an
air rifle in Boothville,
Northampton. He survived the attack but needed surgery to remove the
pellet.
Northampton Chronicle,
18 May 2012
A cat was
shot with an air weapon in
Kingsthorpe, Northamptonshire. The cat survived the attack but
needed surgery to removed the pellet from its chest.
Times and Star,
17 May 2012
A fourteen
month old cat was
shot dead with an air weapon in
Workington, Cumbria.
Get Bracknell,
14 May 2012
A cat was
shot with an air weapon in
Crowthorne, Berkshire. He survived the attack but the pellet
has badly damaged his thigh bone.
Isle of Wight County Press,
12 May 2012
A cat was
shot with an air weapon in
Newport, Isle of Wight. He survived the incident but had to
have his left eye removed.
About My Area,
12 May 2012
A one-year-old cat was
shot with a pellet gun in Castle Donington, Derbyshire.
He died as a result of the attack. The owner has distributed
letters locally and anyone wishing to report an
airgun incident should contact the Police or the RSPCA.
Wrexham.com,
11 May 2012
An
eight-year-old cat was
shot with a pellet gun in Wrexham, Clwyd. The cat remains
in a critical condition following three hours of surgery. An RSPCA
Inspector said "This was a cruel and callous act.
Air weapon
shootings of pets are becoming increasingly common".
Ripon Gazette,
11 May 2012
A cat was
shot with an air
rifle in Ripon, North Yorkshire.
He survived the attack but sustained a severely shattered leg.
The Star,
10 May 2012
A
14-year-old cat was
shot with an airgun in
Burngreave, South Yorkshire. He had to be put to sleep due to
the extent of his injuries.
Blackburn Citizen,
5 May 2012
A cat was
shot with what is believed to have been an air
rifle in Church, Lancashire. The injury
was thought to have been an abscess, but an operation revealed a pellet which was removed. The cat survived the attack.
ITV News,
1 May 2012
A cat was
shot with an air rifle in
Groveley Lane, Birmingham. The pellet was lodged between her eyes but
has been removed and the cat survived the attack.
Peterborough Today, 27
April 2012
A cat was
shot with an airgun in Peterborough,
Cambridgeshire. The animal was left with a pellet in his leg. The owner of
the suffering cat, who does not have pet insurance, must choose between an
expensive operation, amputation, or to put the cat down.
The Leader, 24
April 2012
A dog was
shot and killed with an air gun in
Mostyn,
Wales. The pet, a small Jack Russell belonging to a 74-year-old woman, had
to be put down due to injuries sustained in the shooting.
Hereford Times, 23
April 2012
A horse was
shot in the face with an air rifle in
Madley, Herefordshire. He underwent an operation to remove the
pellet, which was lodged near his right eye.
Paisley Daily Express, 23
April 2012
A cat was
shot and killed with an air gun in
Edinburgh. The cat was hit in the chest with a pellet and he died the
next day.
Buxton Advertiser,
21
April 2012
A cat was
shot with an air rifle in New Mills,
Derbyshire. She survived the shooting after undergoing surgery to remove
the pellet.
Times Series,
10 April
2012
Police said
they were summoned for two separate reports of people shooting birds in
Barnet, north London. In one occasion it is believed the shooters used
a shotgun; hours later, another
incident took place involving an air rifle.
No arrests were made.
Sleaford Standard,
8 April 2012
A cat was
shot with an air rifle in
Ruskington, Lincolnshire. The cat was shot in the stomach and was
injured, but survived the attack.
Droitwich Standard,
30 March
2012
A cat was
shot and killed with an airgun in
Droitwich, Worcestershire. A pellet was reportedly lodged in her
stomach for a day before she collapsed and died.
Clydebank Post,
26 March
2012
A cat was
shot in the chest with an airgun in
Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire. The pet reportedly was shot and in
pain for weeks before undergoing surgery to remove the pellet.
Craven Herald,
23 March
2012
A cat was
shot in the neck with an airgun in
Skipton, North Yorkshire. The pellet went through his neck and
lodged in his shoulder bone, but he survived after undergoing surgery.
Hinckley Times,
23 March
2012
A cat was
shot in the leg with an air rifle in
Hinckley, Leicestershire. The pet survived but had to have his
front leg amputated.
This is Wiltshire,
22 March
2012
A cat was
shot in the side with an air rifle
in Calne, Wiltshire. The wound was severe enough that she
couldn't immediately undergo surgery, but she is expected to recover
after eventually receiving treatment.
South Wales Argus,
22 March
2012
An owl was
shot in a sanctuary in Ebbw Vale, Wales with was believed to be
an airgun. The bird was found dead
with a wound to the skull, after the sanctuary owner reportedly heard
shots fired.
Blackburn Citizen,
21 March
2012
A cat was
shot in the tail in Darwen,
Lancashire. The animal was allegedly shot with an
airgun a week after six ducks and a goose were shot in the
same area (Blackburn Citizen,
10 March
2012).
Warrington Guardian,
19 March
2012
A cat was
shot in the tail in Padgate, Warrington. The cat underwent a
successful operation to remove the pellet after being attacked by
someone with an air rifle, causing a
swollen wound.
Blackburn Citizen,
10 March
2012
Six ducks
and a goose were shot and killed in a public park in Darwen,
Lancashire. Police said someone was spotted shooting the birds with an
air pistol. The ducks were pets belonging to a member of the
public (This
is Lancashire, 13 March 2012).
Wigan Today,
9 March 2012
A cat was
shot with an air rifle in Wigan,
Manchester. The animal was apparently shot in the spine just two months
after he was shot a previous time.
Luton Today,
8 March 2012
Two cats
were shot with airguns in Sundon
Village, Bedfordshire. One animal underwent extensive surgery after
his wounds caused damage to his bowel, abdomen and intestine. Meanwhile,
the other cat was killed in the attack.
Kent Online,
8 March 2012
Teenagers
in Kingsnorth, Kent reportedly shot frogs and toads with an
airgun. A member of the public allegedly found the youths
shooting the amphibians with an air pistol, leaving them mutilated and
dying in the street.
Western Telegraph,
7 March
2012
A cat was
shot and killed with an
air rifle in Maenclochog, Pembrokeshire. The animal
was left with a pellet lodged in its lung and died later the same day.
Luton Today,
8 March 2012
A cat was shot with
an airgun in Sundon
Village, Bedfordshire. The animal underwent extensive surgery after
his wounds caused damage to his bowel, abdomen and intestine.
Daily Mail,
8 March 2012
A cat was
shot nine times with an air rifle in
Timperley, Manchester. The assailants apparently lured the pet
with food, then blasted it in the skull, spine, leg, back and stomach.
Despite his severe wounds, the cat managed to survive after hospital
treatment.
Kent Online,
8 March 2012
Teenagers
in Kingsnorth, Kent reportedly shot frogs and toads with an
airgun. A member of the public allegedly found the youths
shooting the amphibians with an air pistol, leaving them mutilated and
dying in the street.
Western Telegraph,
7 March
2012
A cat was
shot and killed with an
air rifle in Maenclochog, Pembrokeshire. The animal
was left with a pellet lodged in its lung and died later the same day.
Luton Today,
7 March
2012
A cat was
shot and killed with an
air rifle in Luton, Bedfordshire. The 15-year-old
cat's owners found him unable to move with three air rifle pellets
lodged in his body. He had to be put down shortly thereafter.
York Press,
6 March
2012
A cat was
shot with an
air rifle in York. The owner of the animal said it had
undergone an operation after a pellet was lodged in its skin.
Mix 96,
4 March 2012
A cat had
to be put down after being shot with an air
rifle in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. The pet was found with pellets
lodged in his lungs.
Watford Observer,
25 February
2012
A cat was shot
with an airgun in Maple
Cross, Hertfordshire. The pet reportedly had to be put down after
being injured in the attack.
South Wales Guardian,
24 February
2012
A cat was
shot in the head by an air rifle in
Gwaun cae Gurwen, Wales. He was reportedly the sixth cat shot by
an airgun in the area in the past 18 months, with at least two of the
pets killed.
Hamilton Advertiser,
23 February
2012
Two cats
were shot in airgun attacks
in Bellshill, North Lanarkshire, Scotland. The incidents spanned
three days as one cat was shot in the head and another in the cheek,
with each badly injured by the attacks.
Huddersfield Daily Examiner,
18 February
2012
A cat has
been shot and killed with an air rifle in
Birkby, Huddersfield. His owner has another pet cat who was also
shot by an airgun last year, but survived.
Paisley Daily Express,
14 February
2012
Days after
the below incident (Paisley Daily Express, 9 February
2012), another cat was apparently also shot with an
airgun in Renfrew. He suffered nerve damage
after a pellet was lodged in his chest, but unlike the previous pet he
did not die.
Paisley Daily Express,
9 February
2012
A cat was
shot with an air rifle and left to
die in Renfrew. An airgun pellet was shot through his spine and
into his stomach, and the cat was found frozen stiff after spending the
night wounded in a garden with temperatures at minus 3°C.
BBC News,
9 February
2012
A cat has
been put down after being shot with an airgun in
Shropshire. A pellet struck her head and became lodged in her
jaw, police said.
Bedfordshire News,
3 February
2012
A man was
arrested after trapping his neighbour's cat and shooting at it with an
air rifle in Bedford. The
assailant reportedly caged the animal after it got into his flowers, but
missed after taking aim and firing with the airgun. The owner of the cat
then confronted the man and the cat was freed.
Wakefield Express,
31 January
2012
Police
have been increased in Normanton, West Yorkshire after a series
of vandalism and reported airgun
incidents. Police said a boy had been seen with an air rifle and
residents reported dead birds in their gardens.
Salisbury Journal,
25 January 2012
A cat was
shot with an air rifle in
Amesbury, Wiltshire. The pet suffered serious injuries to his
intestines and required multiple operations, leaving the owners unsure
if he will survive. Police arrested a man on suspicion of carrying out
the attack.
News Guardian,
24 January 2012
A cat was
shot by an airgun for the third time
in North Shields, Tyne and Wear. After surviving two shootings in
the past, he was hit in the left front leg by an airgun pellet and may
have to have the leg amputated. The pet's owner has another cat that was
also shot four years ago.
This is Local London,
20 January 2012
Two cats were
shot with an airgun in Hextable,
Kent. The incidents were reportedly separate but occurred within four
hours of one another. One cat was hit in the face and may not survive,
while the second must have her leg amputated.
Scottish Sun,
13 January 2012
A cat was
shot in the face with an airgun in
Dumfries, Scotland. His jaw was broken in five places, the tip of
his tongue was torn of and a pellet was left lodged in his head. He is
expected to survive the attack following surgery.
Milton Keynes Citizen,
11 January 2012
A dog was
shot twice by an airgun in Milton
Keynes. The animal had been playing with another dog and a
three-year-old boy who was with the animals when the attack occurred.
The shot dog had surgery and she is expected to survive. No arrests were
made.
Dudley News,
4 January 2012
Someone
shot a cat with an air rifle in
Dudley, West Midlands. A pellet was found in the neck of the pet,
which had been rescued by her current owner in 2011. Following an
operation the cat is expected to make a full recovery, as the pellet
apparently missed her larynx by a millimetre -- had it connected, the
pellet reportedly would have been fatal.
Shoreham Herald,
28 November 2011
Someone
shot a foal with an airgun in
Soutwick, Wiltshire. The 18-month-old horse was left with an air
pellet lodged in her hind leg. The 'flabbergasted' owners said they were
concerned about the risk of infection and it wasn't immediately known
whether the pellet would cause long-term damage.
Daily Mail,
23 November 2011
A
cat was shot with an airgun in
Bracknell. He survived the incident as the pellet, which vets chose
to leave inside him, missed his spine.
Bracknell News,
23 November 2011
A
cat was shot with an airgun in
Bracknell. He survived the incident as the pellet, which vets chose
to leave inside him, missed his spine.
About My Area,
23 November 2011
A
cat was shot in the side with an air rifle in
Loughborough. The pet's owner noticed a pellet in its side and
was able to get it to the vet for treatment.
Leicester Mercury,
16 November 2011
A
cat died after being shot with an airgun in
Whitwick, Leicestershire. The owner took her to the vet after
noticing she was in pain, and the vet discovered an airgun pellet
lodged in her side. Despite the owner's hopes that she would make a full
recovery, the cat died in his arms the following day.
Hucknall Dispatch,
12 November 2011
A
cat lost an eye after being shot with an
airgun in
Hucknall, Nottingham. Vets were apparently able to save his life
because they operated immediately, but had to remove his left eye due to
the pellet wound.
The Visitor,
5 November 2011
A
cat was shot with an airgun in
Overton, Lancashire. A vet said the cat had a pellet lodged near his
spine and near his liver.
Burton Mail, 4 November 2011
A person
who shot and killed six wild birds in Burton is wanted as the
animals are protected by law. The perpetrator used an
airgun to shoot three geese, two
pigeons and a Mallard duck near a 40-acre lake, leaving them each to
suffer a 'lingering death' after hitting them with pellets.
Medway Messenger, 4 November 2011
A
cat was shot in the chest with an airgun
in Kent. He is expected to recover after undergoing a
successful operation.
Peterlee Mail, 2 November 2011
A
cat had its leg amputated after being shot with an
air rifle
in Hartlepool. An airgun pellet shattered his back right
leg, and the animal is now learning to live without it.
Buckinghamshire Advertiser, 28 October 2011
Someone
killed a sheep in Chartridge, Buckinghamshire by shooting it in
the head. Police said the attack weapon was either an
air weapon or a crossbow.
Daily Mail, 28 October 2011
Eric
Reeves, 68, admitted causing unnecessary suffering after he shot his
neighbour's cat with an air rifle in
Norfolk. The airgun pellet punctured the cat's intestine but it
survived. Reeves, a 'bird lover' who apparently shot the cat for chasing
birds, was ordered to do 100 hours of unpaid work and was fined
£400.
Scotsman, 27 October 2011
A family
of swans was shot by someone with an airgun
in Livingstone, Scotland. Two mated swans and a cygnet
were found with both parents having sustained severe injuries. One of
the adults was reportedly shot at least 14 times. Both adults' lives
hang in the balance, with vets unsure if they will survive the attack.
Salisbury Journal, 20 October 2011
A
cat was killed by an airgun
in Salisbury, Wiltshire. He was taken to hospital after
his owners found him injured, but the subsequent infection caused by the
attack left him beyond treatment. Unable to save him, a vet told the
Journal that the cat then died in pain.
North Wales Weekly,
20 October 2011
A
cat was shot by an air rifle
in Towyn, Wales. A pellet was lodged in her groin, causing
her to be unable to use her back legs. The cat underwent surgery to
remove the pellet and is recovering following the operation.
Maidenhead Advertiser, 20 October 2011
A
swan was killed when he was shot in the eye by someone with an
airgun
in Windsor. The body of the swan was found floating in the
river by a Swan Lifeline Rescue Centre worker who instantly recognised
the bird for his distinct features, but no aid could be administered as
the swan had already died.
Plymouth Herald, 19 October 2011
A
cat was shot in the head with an
airgun
in Devon. The pellet became lodged in his skull and was
removed in an operation. However, vets said the cat may also lose his
eye, which is close to the pellet wound.
Liverpool Echo, 15 October 2011
A
swan was shot in the neck with an air rifle
in Merseyside. Animal rescue teams reportedly spent
several days attempting to rescue the bird, eventually conducting an
operation to remove the air pellet from its neck. The animal was
released back to its home lake, where it is one of only two swans -- the
pair, nicknamed Bill and Maj, have been there for 20 years.
Uxbridge Gazette, 14 October 2011
A cat was
shot with an airgun in Northwood,
west London. A lead pellet was reportedly lodged behind his knee cap but
survived after an operation.
Tamworth Herald, 14 October 2011
A cat was
shot with an airgun and another was
set on fire in Tamworth, Staffordshire. The animal that suffered
the first wound was shot through the eye and had its jaw fractured. She
had her eye removed in a subsequent operation. Meanwhile, the other cat,
who is 15 years old, had his face set on fire. He survived but suffered
severe wounds.
Scarborough Evening News, 12 October 2011
A cat was
shot with an airgun
in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, leaving him blinded in
one eye. His owner was initially told the cat may have been hit by a car
or have a tumour, but vets found an airgun pellet during an operation.
Guardian, 7 October 2011
A
cat was shot in the head with an airgun
in Winkleigh, Devon. The cat survived the shooting,
thought to have been at close range. Winkleigh was recently proclaimed
the best place in England and Wales to raise children.
Bucks Free Press, 4 October 2011
A cat was
shot by an air rifle in Amersham,
Buckinghamshire. A pellet was reportedly lodged between his heart and
lungs, but although vets are unable to remove the pellet, he is expected
to survive.
Scarborough Evening News, 4 October 2011
A cat was
shot through the neck by an airgun
in Scarborough, North Yorkshire. Although she had reportedly made
improvements since receiving treatment, she's unable to walk and has
severe injuries to her neck.
Harwich and Manningtree Standard, 30 September 2011
A
six-month-old kitten was shot by an airgun
in Harwich, Essex. She was left with a fractured leg but
is expected to survive following an operation.
Highland News,
29 September 2011
Two birds
were apparently shot by an airgun
near a school in Inverness. The birds, a pigeon and a seagull,
were both taken to a vet and put to sleep.
Peterborough Today,
27 September 2011
A cat was
shot in the neck by an airgun in
Peterborough. He escaped without severe physical injury, though his
vocal chords were affected, as the pellet missed the animal's vital
organs. He is expected to make a full recovery.
Medway Messenger,
26 September 2011
A cat was
badly injured after being shot in the neck by an
airgun in Kent. He reportedly is expected to
survive after undergoing surgery, but has been left with severe damage
to his nervous system.
Oxford Mail,
23 September 2011
A cat was
shot by an air rifle in Oxford.
A vet reported that the airgun pellet went into her abdominal cavity
and made three holes. She is expected to recover after receiving
treatment.
Hereford Times,
23 September 2011
Someone
shot a horse with an air rifle in
Hereford.
The 15-year-old rescue horse reportedly recovered from the attack,
escaping with a puncture mark still visible under his skin.
BBC News,
23 September 2011
A cat was
shot and killed by an airgun in
Skellingthorpe, near Lincoln.
Vets found an air pellet that had been shot through his heart.
Medway Messenger,
21 September 2011
A cat was
shot with an airgun in Kent.
Police said he had been hit with a pellet on 5 September and was in a
serious condition.
Scunthorpe Telegraph,
15 September 2011
A cat was
shot in the face by an airgun in
Scunthorpe, north Lincolnshire. A lead pellet was removed from his
cheek, just below the right eye. He is expected to make a full recovery.
Fenland Citizen,
10 September 2011
A cat was
shot by an air rifle in
Cambridgeshire, leaving a hole in his back leg. An initial report
from the vet indicated the cat would need to have the leg amputated.
The Courier,
7 September 2011
Two cats
were shot and killed by airguns in
Fife, Scotland over the past month. The owners of the cat from
the second incident saw her 'stumble out' after being shot and then die
an hour later. Meanwhile, a nearby cat owner found her cat lying outside
her home after she was also shot by an airgun in August.
Peterborough Today,
5 September 2011
A cat was
shot and killed by an airgun in
Eye Green, near Peterborough. He was put down by vets after an
airgun pellet became lodged in his spine.
Malvern Gazette,
2 September 2011
A cat was
shot by an airgun in Upper
Welland, Worcestershire. He had one leg amputated but survived after
10 days at the vets.
Huntingdon People,
29 July 2011
A swan was
found in Cambridgeshire after being shot with an
airgun.
The swan had seven airgun pellets in it and had to be put to sleep.
Scotsman News,
29 July 2011
A cat was
shot in the stomach with an airgun
in Whitburn, Scotland. It was the second such incident suffered
by the animal, who was also shot with four airgun pellets in 2008. The
cat's owner said their other pet, this cat's brother, has lost an eye
and a kidney due to airgun attacks, and she said a neighbour's cat was
recently shot and killed by airgun assailants.
Daily Mail,
28 July 2011
A hedgehog
was shot in the head with an air rifle
and also reportedly kicked by her assailants in Northwood,
Middlesex. The pellet can't be removed from her jaw and she suffered
broken legs when kicked, but is expected to recover.
The Wokingham Times,
28 July 2011
A kitten
was shot in the chest by what is believed to be an
air rifle
in Arborfield, Wakefield. Shot the same week he turned one, the
kitten should recover after receiving treatment from vets.
Morley Observer,
28 July 2011
A cat
was shot and killed by an airgun
in Morley, Norfolk. His owners found him lifeless, with pellets
in his side.
Buck Free Press,
27 July 2011
A swan
was shot in the back of the head by an airgun
in Windsor. It is currently receiving treatment and reportedly
stands a good chance of survival since the attack missed 'vital parts'
of the bird's head.
Pontefract and Castleford Express,
25 July 2011
A cat was
shot and killed by an airgun
in Pontefract, Wakefield. He was hit in the side and was already
dead when found by his owner.
St. Helens Star,
21 July 2011
A kitten
was shot with an airgun
in St. Helens, Merseyside. A pellet was lodged in his leg that
vets cannot remove, and while the cat survived the initial incident the
pellet could still move naturally and damage a main artery.
BBC News,
19 July 2011
A dog was
shot and killed with an airgun
in Hampshire. Police said two neighbours reported hearing a
single gunshot but the dog was found dead after being hit near the
ribcage.
Swindon Advertiser,
15 July 2011
A cat was
shot in the eye by an air rifle in
Swindon. The animal will have to have her eye removed, an
operation that will cost her owners
£1,200.
The attack mirrors one a month earlier in the same community in which a
pregnant cat was shot in the face.
West Briton,
14 July 2011
Someone
shot a pair of swans with an air rifle
in Cornwall. The birds were mating close to their nesting ground
and were left wounded and covered in blood by their attacker.
Wakefield Express,
14 July 2011
A cat was
killed in Wakefield when someone attacked it with an
airgun. Two of the owner's other cats were also found with
pellet gun wounds recently and she noted that the shootings occurred
where children regularly play.
Cambridge News,
14 July 2011
A cat was
shot by an air rifle in
Haverhill, Suffolk. He was struck in the leg but survived following
surgery.
Filey Mercury,
12 July 2011
A cat was
shot and killed by an air rifle in
Hunmanby, North Yorkshire. After being found by his owner with a
pellet injury he was taken to vets for treatment but later died.
South Wales Argus,
9 July 2011
Animals in
the city of Newport, Wales have suffered a series of attacks over
the past two weeks. A vet there said three seagulls, two pigeons, one
fox and a squirrel have been shot by airguns.
Coventry Telegraph,
7 July 2011
A cat in
Coventry was shot by an airgun.
She survived after three nights at the vet but lost an eye as a
result of the attack.
BBC News,
6 July 2011
An owl was
shot by an air rifle in
Gloucestershire but was successfully rescued by quarry workers
following a three-day search. One of the owl's wing bones had been
broken by a pellet but after an operation the bird made a full recovery.
Bournemouth Echo,
5 July 2011
A cat was
shot with an airgun in Dorset.
A pellet was lodged in his spine but he made a full recovery after an
operation.
Guardian,
6 July 2011
A kitten
was shot with an air rifle in
East Ewell, Surrey. She underwent surgery and is expected to make a
full recovery.
BBC News,
5 July 2011
Three
ducks were shot dead by airguns in
Nottinghamshire. Police said they received calls about shots
being fired in a park, before finding the victims, two ducklings and one
mallard.
