A disgruntled drinker who took pot shots with an air rifle at a smoker outside a pub has been jailed for six months.

Jonathan Stone, who lives in a boat at East Farleigh marina, was fuelled by alcohol and cocaine when he fired three pellets at Timothy Mauritis , a judge heard.

The shooting happened at The George pub in Gravesend last January.
Maidstone Crown Court heard Stone, 26, felt “personally slighted” during an exchange earlier in the evening, when Mr Mauritis joined in banter about a dog in the bar taking a liking to him.

Grammar school-educated Stone, described as an experienced rabbiter and ratter, was outside the pub showing his brother and a friend his
newly-purchased .22 calibre pneumatic air rifle, when Mr Mauritis appeared about 50 yards away.

Mr Mauritis had just lit up his second cigarette when Stone took aim and fired, hitting him in his lower right arm, the right side of his chest and near the top of his left arm.

Jailing Stone, Judge Charles Macdonald QC said: “The shooting was deliberate and you were very drunk and high on cocaine,” he added.

“It was fortunate your victim was not blinded.”

Stone admitted assault causing actual bodily harm and having a loaded air weapon in a public place.

He initially told police that he believed the gun, which was worth about £800, was unloaded.

Roger Daniells-Smith, defending, said at the time Stone was drinking 18 pints a night and spending £400 a week on cocaine.

He had increasing paranoia and the shots were fired “in a moment of madness”, the solicitor said.

Mr Mauritis was not seriously injured.

Since the attack Stone has disposed of all of his weapons and no longer goes shooting. He is having counselling for his addictions.

“He did a very foolish act which could have lead to a more serious outcome than it did,” said Mr Daniells-Smith.

The court was told that in May 2004 Stone and a friend had caused thousands of pounds of damage to windows at Gravesend Grammar School for Boys following a bout of heavy drinking.

He was ordered to pay £8,500 compensation, of which just £346 is still outstanding.