A TEENAGER bought an airgun that ended up injuring someone without him realising, a court heard.

Timothy George bought the airgun in Droitwich and went to a friend's house to show it off.

But it ended up being fired in public by someone else, Worcester magistrates were told yesterday.

Linda Jeffrey, prosecuting said the incident took place on Friday, August 23, this year, when two men saw George with the air gun in Droitwich Lido.

"He admitted it was his pistol," she said.

Ms Jeffery said George was with a group of youths, and another man fired the gun, which then injured a male.

Dawn Cooper, defending, said George, aged 18, was carrying the airgun in a plastic bag after he bought it that day.

"He intended to go to a friend's house to show the gun to friends," she said.

"Mr George was not aware of what happened initially.

"You should be aware that at every step of the investigation, Mr George co-operated fully with the police.

Character

"He has good character. It's an irresponsible thing to have happened, but Mr George had no intention of firing the gun in public."

Labourer George, of Cockshute Hill, Droitwich, admitted having a loaded air pistol in a public place.

Charges of common assault and intimidating a witness were withdrawn.

Magistrates fined George £200 and also ordered him to pay court costs of £60.