A MAN has been shot in the head with an air-rifle pellet while sitting at his table eating dinner with his mother.

Piano tuner Gary Milton, 53, was with mum Betty and partner Christine when he was struck on the temple by the pellet, believed to have been fired from a rifle.

Gary said: "An inch lower and it would have been my eye. I can’t believe it. I was sitting there having my dinner and I’m shot by some punk kid."

He was left with a small hole in his temple and blood running down his face.

The family were eating at Betty’s home in Vine Close, Ramsgate, at 6.30pm on Saturday, when the incident happened.

The houses back onto fields where police told Gary the farmer had given permission to a group of youths to go shooting.

Gary added: "There’s no way that it was an accident."

Police confirmed they spoke to a group of youths who were shooting in a nearby field with permission.

See this week's Thanet Extra for the full story.