Cornwall man Alfred Tipson who shot boy spared prison
A man who shot a boy in the neck with an air rifle has been given a suspended jail sentence.
Alfred Tipson, 70, from Penwithick, Cornwall, admitted possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear.
He told Truro Crown Court that his gun went off accidentally in February 2010 as he tried to scare some youths he claimed had been terrorising villagers.
Tipson was sentenced to eight months jail suspended for two years and banned from keeping firearms for two years.
He was earlier cleared of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and unlawful wounding.
The 14-year-old victim was taken to hospital and underwent surgery to remove a pellet embedded 3cm deep in his neck.