Pair in court after baby shot with air gun

A man has admitted grievous bodily harm after a baby boy was shot in the head with an air gun.

The 18-month-old is critically ill in hospital after suffering a serious head injury in Bristol on Friday.

Jordan Walters, aged 24, admitted a charge of unlawfully and maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm on the boy at Bristol Magistrates’ Court.

His partner Emma Jane Horseman, 23, did not enter a plea to a charge of aiding or abetting Mr Walters to commit the offence.

District Judge Jim Astle imposed a reporting restriction to prevent the victim’s identity from being published.

Emergency crews were called to a flat in Bishport Avenue, Hartcliffe, at 4.10pm on Friday.

Prosecuting, Lucy Coleman told the court:

“The Crown’s case is that Mr Walters is the owner of an air pistol. Ms Horseman is his partner.”

The court heard the child was visiting Mr Walters and Ms Horseman with his mother when the air gun was discharged. “Unfortunately the gun was loaded,” Ms Coleman said. The prosecutor said Mr Walters made a 999 call after the incident.

“During the call Mr Walters said he thought the gun was empty and he had accidentally shot the one-year-old child,” she added.

District Judge Astle remanded Mr Walters and Ms Horseman in custody.

“There’s no doubt these allegations are very, very serious — this case is an extremely serious case,” the judge said.

“I commit Mr Walters for sentence to the crown court. Ms Horseman, you will be committed for trial. In both cases you are remanded in custody.”

Mr Walters and Ms Horseman will appear before Bristol Crown Court on July 18.