Boy, 13, shoots teacher in the face for making him play rugby
A BOY of 13 shot his games teacher in the face because he did not want to play rugby, a court heard yesterday.
He smuggled an air pistol into school, marched into Darren Jones’s office and fired.
The former Welsh schoolboy rugby international was tying his laces before a lesson when he looked up to see the boy pointing the handgun at him.
Karen Kirkwood, prosecuting, said: “Mr Jones could not believe what he was seeing. He heard a sound like a firecracker going off, held his chin and noticed blood on his fingers. He realised he had been shot and saw the boy running away.”
Magistrates at a youth court in Brecon, South Wales, heard how he gave chase but the boy, when he realised he was being pursued, turned and pointed the pistol at Mr Jones.
The prosecutor continued: “He drew the gun level to Mr Jones’ head about six or seven metres away.
“Mr Jones dived for cover round a corner and when he looked out again moments later the boy was still there.”
The teacher, 39, told the court he was “afraid and angry but never thought he was going to die”. He ran to his office and raised the alarm despite the boy following him and waiting outside with the gun. Armed police arrived to find the boy with a carrier bag containing a Beretta .177 CO²-powered air pistol. It is not designed to kill but could do if misused according to firearms experts.
Mr Jones, who needed hospital treatment, had previously given the boy detention and lines for not attending his games classes.
The boy, who complained he was made to play rugby despite medical problems with his feet, was later excused PE after producing a note from his parents but still had to attend the twice-weekly lessons to watch.
The boy told police he did not like rugby or football. He said the teacher made him “feel bad”. In a search of his home police found a pad with the words: “I’ll f****** kill you” in his handwriting but when asked about it said: “No comment.”
He added “I won’t be shooting anyone again.”
Officers also found “a number of items of concern” including rifles and air rifles.
Mrs Kirkwood said: “They do not relate to the boy but were in the house where he lived.”
The boy, who cannot be identified, was put under an eight-month referral order, under the supervision of social services. Magistrates were told he was not a threat to the public. He must also pay Mr Jones £300.
