More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
A man who fired a crossbow bolt into the face of a teenage girl will not face prosecution.
Evie White, 17, suffered cuts and bruises after the metal dart pierced through her lip and cheek at the gates of Canterbury College on December 4.
But police have decided not to charge the 47-year-old who fired the shot after he told them the crossbow had gone off accidentally in a nearby car park as he showed it to a female colleague.
He has instead been given a caution for obstructing police after it emerged he had originally lied to officers about what happened.
“He’s not a kid playing about, he’s 47, he should know better. But nobody should be allowed in public with a loaded crossbow" - Evie White
The news has angered Evie, who says she has suffered night terrors since the incident.
She said: “At first we were told that it would be a charge of attempted murder and now it is simply a caution.
“I just cannot believe it, as I really thought that something would be done.
“I feel angry but it is more disappointment and I just feel let down. I’m left with this on my face and he gets a caution.
”We have been told that he has a licence for his crossbow but in that case he should know what it is capable of.
“He’s not a kid playing about, he’s 47, he should know better. But nobody should be allowed in public with a loaded crossbow. If I walked around Canterbury with a loaded crossbow, I’m sure police would do something about it.”
Crossbows are not classified as firearms, nor offensive weapons when used without intent to harm.
“It is completely ridiculous that nobody has been prosecuted. We can’t believe it. Our Evie could’ve been killed" - John White
But Evie’s dad John is furious at the “disgusting” outcome and says his daughter has been left nervous about going to college.
He said: “It is completely ridiculous that nobody has been prosecuted. We can’t believe it. Our Evie could’ve been killed.
“We don’t understand why he needed to show someone the crossbow in such a public place. Why not do it inside? There is a nursery next door – imagine if he had hit a child there.
“We also don’t believe how a man supposedly experienced with a crossbow can accidentally let the safety catch off. We are furious.”
Police spokesman Keith Fairbank said a man and woman were spoken to after the incident.
He added: “The man, a 47 year-old from the Folkestone area, has been given a caution for obstructing police.
“He had given a false account to police officers who initially attended, but later came forward to give a revised account of what happened. No further action is being taken against the woman.
“The girl has been updated and is recovering from her injuries.”
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