Man, 58, with air rifle shot girl as he fired at children in park

CHILDREN in a park fled as a gunman brandishing an air rifle struck a seven-year-old girl when he sent pellets “whizzing” towards them.

Vincent John Thomas deliberately fired towards the youngsters and sent his victim and other children scurrying into the bushes for cover.

Swansea Crown Court heard that the defendant fled the scene but was arrested a short time later.

Stephen Rees, prosecuting, said the incident took place in Parc Llewelyn in Morriston on an afternoon in February this year.

He said a number of people heard “cracking” noises, which drew their attention to 58-year-old Thomas, who was carrying an air rifle.

One of the pellets hit a young girl.

Mr Rees said a man in the park rushed at Thomas before he had chance to reload, and the defendant made off into the garden of a house. Police were called and Thomas was arrested and a .22 Webley Vulcan air rifle was found in an outbuilding.

He later told officers he had drunk six pints of beer and two cans and had not fired a gun before.

The girl he shot suffered a bruise to her hip.

Thomas, of Llewelyn Park Drive, Morriston, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The court heard he has no previous convictions.

Huw Davies, for Thomas, said the weapon was one that did not require a licence and was legally held.

Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke sentenced him to 18 months for the weapon offence and six months for the assault with the sentences to run concurrently.

Thomas will serve half that period in custody before being released on licence to serve the remainder in the community.