Man pleads guilty to GBH after baby, one, shot in the head with air rifle at family home

A MAN has admitted shooting a crying baby boy in the head with an air rifle after being egged on by his girlfriend to scare him into being quiet, a court heard.

Jordan Walters, 24, today pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm, as Harry Studley, 18-months-old, is still critically ill in hospital.

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He is said to have been cleaning the air gun while visiting a friend's flat in Hartcliffe, Bristol, with his partner Emma Jane Horseman, 23, when the baby boy started crying.

Horseman, who is yet to enter a plea to the charge of aiding and abetting grievous bodily harm, is alleged to have said to him: "Go on Jord, just fire the gun to scare him."

The weapon then discharged and hit Harry in the back of the head.

His parents, Amy Allen, 21, and Edward Studley, 22, live in a flat at Oak House in Hartcliffe, Bristol, where the shooting happened.

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He remains in a critical condition at Bristol Children's Hospital following the incident at about 4pm last Friday.

Prosecuting, Lucy Coleman told the court: "This is a case where an 18-month-old child has been shot with an air rifle and has suffered very serious injuries.

"The child is currently in hospital and is critical.

"The Crown's case is that Mr Walters is the owner of an air pistol. Miss Horseman is his partner."

"Unfortunately the gun was loaded.

"During the [999] call Mr Walters said he thought the gun was empty and he had accidentally shot the one-year-old child."

The pair, of Bishport Avenue, Hartcliffe, were remanded in custody until July 18 when they will appear in Bristol Crown Court - Walters to be sentenced and Horseman to face trial.

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District Judge Astell warned the couple they are like to face "severe sentences".

"There is no doubt that these allegations are very, very serious," he said. "This case is an extremely serious case.

"You are both remanded in custody for your own protection as I have been told there have been threats and information about this case has been circulated widely."

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