Stanley Metcalf: Great-grandfather admits airgun killing

Stanley Metcalf, six, died after being hit by a pellet from a gun

A man has admitted killing his six-year-old great-grandson who was shot with an air rifle.

Stanley Metcalf died in hospital after being hit in the abdomen by a pellet from the gun in Sproatley, near Hull, on 26 July.

Albert Grannon, of Church Lane, Sproatley, pleaded guilty to manslaughter at Hull Crown Court.

The 78-year-old had shown "no real remorse for what happened" until the guilty plea, Humberside Police said.

He also admitted possessing an air rifle without holding a firearms certificate along with the charge of manslaughter by gross negligence.

Grannon listened to the proceedings through a headset with sentencing adjourned until 2 July at Sheffield Crown Court.

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In August, an inquest heard Stanley was visiting family at the time he was shot.

Stanley was found injured at the house at about 16:00 BST and pronounced dead later that day at Hull Royal Infirmary.

The boy was shot in the abdomen with the air rifle, an inquest heard

Hull Coroner's Court was told a post-mortem examination had revealed the cause of death as "an airgun projectile wound to the abdomen".

No details of the offence were given during Monday's court hearing, with Grannon granted conditional bail.

Judge Peter Kelson QC told him: "This case, while tragic, is very serious and it's entirely possible that a prison sentence will follow and you must prepare for that."

'Inseparable' twins

Det Insp Rebecca Dickinson, who led the investigation, said: "I am pleased that Albert Grannon has finally admitted his guilt and faced up to the enormity of his actions.

"Up to now he has shown no real remorse for what happened."

In a statement following Stanley's death, his family described him as a "loving, caring and beautiful boy" who was "vibrant and full of energy".

Det Insp Dickinson added: "Stanley has a twin, Elsie. They were inseparable.

"I can only imagine what she will feel like now and when she reaches any milestones in her life, knowing that she should be sharing them with Stanley."

Air gun licensing

• Some firearms, shotguns and rifles may be licensed and are held on a firearm or shotgun certificate

• Low-powered air weapons are not licensed in England and Wales unless they are of a type declared "specially dangerous" by the Firearms (Dangerous Air Weapons) Rules 1969

• An air weapon is "specially dangerous" if it is capable of discharging a missile with kinetic energy in excess of 6ft lbs for an air pistol or 12ft lbs in the case of other air weapons

Source: Home Office