Man who shot child with air rifle jailed

Kevan Turner said he had borrowed the rifle to shoot rats

A man who shot a child in the stomach with an air rifle has been jailed.

Kevan Turner, of Bank End Close in Barnsley, was arrested on suspicion of assault after police were called to the incident in Bolton upon Dearne at about 02:15 BST on 15 June.

The 43-year-old, who had drunk six beers at the time, said he did not know how the child had been hurt. They were taken to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

Turner pleaded guilty to wounding or inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent and was jailed for three years and four months at Sheffield Crown Court on Monday.

Turner claimed he had borrowed the air rifle, which was approximately 5ft long, from a neighbour to shoot rats, according to South Yorkshire Police.

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