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Man who shot toddler in the head with an air rifle and left him with permanent disabilities jailed for two years

A man who shot a crying 18-month-old boy in the head with an air rifle and left him with permanent disabilities has been jailed for two years.

Jordan Walters, 25, fired the weapon at Harry Studley, who was left fighting for life and with permanent disabilities.

The toddler underwent emergency surgery after suffering the serious head injury at Walters' flat in Hartcliffe, Bristol, on July 1.

He has been left with limited vision in both eyes, daily post-traumatic seizures and finds it difficult to recognise his parents.

Bristol Crown Court heard Walters dialled 999 after the incident and later pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm.

Judge Julian Lambert jailed Walters for two years and described his actions as "grossly irresponsible".

"You bear a very heavy burden of responsibility for a crime that left a little boy fighting for his life and which leaves him with serious permanent disability," the judge told Walters.

Many recreations and pleasures will be denied to Harry both in his youth and his adult life

Judge Julian Lambert

"Only the resolution of Harry in his fight for life and the brilliance of the surgical team saved him.

"But for your grossly irresponsible behaviour, Harry Studley would today be a bouncing little boy with unlimited expectations ahead of him in life."

The judge said Harry is showing symptoms of epilepsy and has badly impaired vision "and will so suffer for life".

"Many recreations and pleasures will be denied to Harry both in his youth and his adult life," the judge added. "The impaired vision is severely limiting as well. There is a probably personality change also."

The court heard Walters and his partner, Emma Horseman, 24, were good friends with Harry's parents, Amy Allen and Edward Studley. Both couples lived at Oak House, a block of flats in Bishop Avenue in Bristol.

Miss Allen brought Harry to the couple's flat, where Miss Horseman and her children were, on July 1 last year. Walters later arrived, removed his air rifle from the cupboard and started cleaning it in preparation for shooting rats the following day.

Harry began crying and climbed up the sofa so he was next to his mother. The court heard Walters aimed the gun at the toddler and fired it right into his head, causing a significant head injury.

In a statement released after the hearing, Harry's parents said the toddler's struggled would continue for the rest of his life. 

"That cannot be changed," they said. "Fortunately we still have Harry in our lives. We are looking forwards now and not backwards."

They added: "As a family we would like to see changes made to the law so that people who possess high powered air rifles are made to be more responsible for their actions while at home or elsewhere."