Man sentenced for shooting toddler with air rifle

Bristol man, Jordan Walters, has been jailed for two years after an 18-month-old was shot in the head with an air rifle.

Harry Studley was seriously injured by the pellet discharged from the gas-powered air weapon at a flat in Bishport Avenue, Hartcliffe in July 2016.

Harry spent the following three months in the intensive care unit at Bristol Children’s Hospital following the shooting.

Walters, 25, who fired the weapon, admitted Grievous Bodily Harm and was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court.

Det Insp Simon Brickwood said: “As a result of the shooting, Harry suffered horrendous injuries to his head which will affect him for the rest of his life."

"He’s very lucky to be alive and the reason he was able to pull through is down to the expert medical attention he received."

"Jordan Walters’ actions on that day were reckless to the extreme and he’ll have to find a way to live with what he’s done for the rest of his life."

"How anyone could point an air weapon at a child, whether it was loaded or not, beggars belief."

"The shooting had a profound effect on the local community and the city of Bristol as a whole."

"I’d like to thank Harry’s family for their whole-hearted support of our investigation despite having to deal with their own personal tragedy, as well as all those who provided information to our inquiry team."

"I hope this successful conviction will help Harry’s parents move forward with their lives and we wish Harry all the best for his recovery in the future."