Crying toddler was shot in head with air rifle to 'shut him up', court hears

A crying 18-month-old boy was shot in the head with an air rifle to 'shut him up', a court has heard.

Harry Studley was left blind in one eye and now suffers several seizures a day after Jordan Walters pointed the weapon at him and pulled the trigger last July.

Moments before Walters' partner Emma Horseman is alleged to have told him: "Shoot Harry, just to frighten him, to shut him up, shoot it at Harry."

Harry and his mum, Amy Allen, were visiting the couple along with Harry's two-year-old brother when it happened.

To this day the pellet is still lodged in the toddler's head.

Walters has admitted unlawfully and maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm on Harry and claimed he did not know the gun was loaded.

His girlfriend Horseman is on trial for the same charge on the basis she aided or abetted an offence.

Giving evidence from behind a screen at Bristol Crown Court, Harry's mother said: "I heard Emma speak to Jordan.

"She said 'Jordan, shoot it and scare him'.

"After Emma said what she said, he aimed the gun at Harry.

"I looked round and said 'No' and I heard the gun.

"Harry was screaming in pain. Emma looked around and said 'Jordan, he's bleeding'. I looked around and found him in tears."

Harry was airlifted to hospital for surgery which saved his life.

His speech is now developing normally but he suffers from several post-traumatic seizures a day and is being treated with anticonvulsant drugs.

The trial continues.