A 23-year-old man has been sentenced to 18 months in prison after he shot a girl in the eye with an air gun pellet.

The girl, now aged 12, lost the sight in her eye and the pellet will remain lodged behind her eye socket for the rest of her life.

Builder's labourer Tristram Keen, of Popes Lane, Sturry, was told by Judge Michael O’Sullivan that he had been reckless in the extreme when he discharged the air weapon in Park Rough woods in Hersden in July, 2007.

Investigating officer Det Sgt Andy Bidmead said: “By pleading not guilty Keen made three children go through the ordeal of having to give evidence in court and I have nothing but admiration for the courage that they have all shown, in particular the young girl who has had to come to terms with losing the sight in one eye.

“If any good can come out of this then I hope the actions of this man will serve as a grim warning to anyone considering using an air weapon that they must take every precaution to ensure the safety of others around them.”

A jury at Canterbury Crown Court had found Keen guilty of unlawful and malicious wounding.

Keen had admitted trespass on land with a firearm. He had gone there to shoot with an eight–year-old boy when the girl and her younger sister went to the woods to meet them.