Air gun accident leaves pellet in Staffordshire youth's brain

A 16-year-old boy has lost the sight in one eye and has a pellet permanently embedded in his brain following an accident with an air rifle.

Staffordshire Police said the youth, from Featherstone, was playing with the weapon in a wooded area on 20 August when it went off. The boy is now out of hospital but needs further treatment.

Police are concerned the boy bought the gun at a car boot sale. Tests show they can fire if accidentally dropped. A spokesman said police seized the boy's weapon, a Westlake B2, and that initial investigations had raised concerns. Similar models have also been seized and tests seem to show that the weapon, which is relatively cheap and easy to obtain, may fire when dropped on the ground, he said.

Pc Sean Hinsley, Featherstone beat officer, said people should be aware that air weapons are not toys. "The person who sold the weapon has been made aware of the investigation and is co-operating fully with us," he said.

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