A NEWPORT teenager who shot a 12-year-old boy in the eye with a pellet gun was locked up for 16 months yesterday.

Connor Davies, 18, of Livale Court, Bettws, was sent to a young offenders’ institution after he admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm on schoolboy Harris Mann by shooting him with a pellet gun on January 15.

Cardiff Crown Court heard that around 4pm on that day, Newport High School pupil Harris was talking to three teenage boys behind Davies’ house.

Prosecutor David Pugh said they became aware of Davies firing pellets using a SMK silver 177 pellet gun from his bedroom window.

The court heard Davies had been “messing about with mates”.

When a shot was made in Harris’ direction, the young boy “instinctively ducked,”

but then felt a sharp pain in his left eye.

The three other boys – one of whom was Davies’ younger brother – helped Harris into Davies’ house, where the defendant was.

Mr Pugh said Davies insisted an ambulance was called, but Harris said he also offered him £250 “not to say anything to anyone”.

Harris was taken to Newport’s Royal Gwent Hospital, where he underwent an operation on his left eye.

A statement from consultant ophthalmologist Tina Duke said the pellet went through Harris’ left lower eye lid, penetrated the front surface of the eye and came to rest at the back of his eye ball.

Although the lid was repaired, the pellet remains in Harris’ eye because removing it could cause further damage.

Miss Duke said visibility in Harris’ left eye is still, and will remain, very poor.

There is also the risk of an inflammatory condition in his right eye, which could permanently damage that too.

In a victim impact statement, Harris said he has been told he may have to have his eye removed, and said he would be “devastated”

if this happens because it will affect his looks.

He added the injury had stopped him playing rugby for Pill Harriers, and put an end to a possibly promising career, as he was on the verge of a trial with Newport Gwent Dragons.

The court heard that when arrested, Davies admitted his guilt and said he was “gutted” this had happened.

Defence barrister Harry Baker said although Davies had two convictions for drugs offences, he had no previous convictions for violence, and showed a “genuine sense of contrition and remorse”.

Sentencing Davies to 16 months in a young offenders’ institution, Recorder Richard Booth said: “Air guns are not toys. Firing them can have very grave consequences, as seen in this case.”

‘He’ll suffer all his life’ - mother

SPEAKING after the sentencing, Harris Mann’s mother Leanne Small said she was pleased the court case was over, but the sentence could not make up what her son had suffered.

Ms Small said: “It’s not much in comparison to what he’s been through.

He’s got to deal with that for the rest of his life. He’s absolutely devastated he can’t play rugby again.”