A PURTON man could face jail after allegedly shooting a neighbour with an air rifle while taking pot shots out of a block of flats last weekend.

Sean Davis, 24, of Palomino Place, was arrested on Saturday after police were called to reports that a man had been shot with a calibre rifle.

Appearing at court for the first time on Monday, Davis was charged with one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and one of being a person sentenced at a Young Offenders Institution, had in his possession a calibre air rifle before the expiration of five years from the date of release.

James Burnham, prosecuting, told Chippenham Magistrates court: “The allegation is that he has got a gas propelled gun with sights and has shot somebody with that causing them injuries that we can see in photographs, with pellets buried inside the victim.

“The ambulance is called and the ammunition has to be pulled out.

“It is a very serious allegation but we have to look at the Bail Act to determine whether remand in custody follows that.

“There have to be various concerns about further offences, and the weapon is no longer in his possession.

“His last appearance before the court was two years ago with a community order with supervision imposed for a period of one year.

“That was for an offence of battery. This allegation is for shooting a neighbour with a gun, and he does not have access to a gun now.

“I would suggest conditions of bail would be not to go to Mustang Way in Purton, and leave him on a tagged bail at an address in Devizes.

“His grandparents have agreed for him to stay with them in Devizes so he will have no need to return to Mustang Way.

“The victim would be quite distressed if he were to run into the defendant so these conditions are necessary for him.”

Wayne Hardy, defending, said Davis should not be returning to his old address before matters are concluded.

“His partner lives at the address and they have a five-week old child,” he said. “If there were to be any access he and his partner would have to meet away from the house.

“Mr Davis is under no illusion this is a very serious offence.”

Davis was released on conditional bail under a tagged curfew from 8pm to 6am at an address in Devizes, and was ordered not to go to Mustang Way in Purton or to contact, the complainant.

He will return for his next hearing at Swindon Crown Court for an early guilty plea on January 23.