Guns have got to go

Jailed man’s plea after ‘warning shot’ that shattered lives ...

A MAN who unintentionally shot an 11-year-old girl in the head when he fired a rifle during a heated suburban dispute has a message for others with illegal firearms in their possession: Hand them in.

Nathan Campbell, 26, was yesterday sentenced to three and a half years in jail after last week being found guilty by a jury of grievous bodily harm in relation to the shooting on August 29 last year in Deloraine.

Campbell’s lawyer Evan Hughes said outside the Supreme Court in Launceston after the sentencing that Campbell wants others to learn from the case.

“He deeply regrets the harm he has caused to Phoenix Newitt,” Mr Hughes said.

“He wants others with a firearm at home that they are not meant to have to hand them in.”

Campbell’s girlfriend and Phoenix’s mother Sarah had been involved in a fist fight at the town’s Woolworths supermarket earlier the night of the shooting in 2017.

Campbell fired the shot after Ms Newitt and her brother Zack drove to Campbell’s Stagg Court address to continue the fight.

Campbell told the court he did not know two young children, Phoenix and her five-year-old cousin, were in the car when he fired what he told the jury was a “warning shot” to get the group to leave. Justice Robert Pearce told the court feelings were greatly inflamed on both sides of the altercation when the shot was fired.

“Zack Newitt went to Mr Campbell’s house despite having two children in his car as back seat passengers,” Justice Pearce said.

“Campbell aimed at the driver’s side front wheel. It was dark, the target was 80m away and he had not fired that particular rifle before.

“He was overcome by anger. He did not intend to shoot anyone, but knew there was a driver in the car and possibly passengers.

“The grave risk that the bullet might strike someone would be obvious to anyone.

“I am satisfied he did not know there were children in the car. But this shows the folly of firing a gun when the risk of unintentional harm is obvious.”

The court heard Phoenix Newitt would have died without surgery. She is deaf in one ear and bullet fragments remain near her heart. She has difficulty with speech and balance and suffered psychological trauma.

Justice Pearce said Campbell did not have a history of violence and had a good in- dustrial record. Campbell will be eligible for parole after serving half his sentence.

“This was not a planned attack, but a reckless single act,” Justice Pearce said.

“It shows what harm can be done by the use of rifles in the heat of the moment.”