A MAN who shot a neighbour with an illegally held air rifle has been warned he could be facing jail.

Sean Davis was taking pot shots out of the window when he hit the other man with the pellet from the .22 calibre weapon.

Although the weapon does not need a certificate the 25-year-old was banned from holding it as he had served a jail term in the previous five years.

Davis, formerly of Palamino Place, Purton, but now living in Steele Close, Devizes, had been due to face trial next week on the firearms offence.

But the case was brought back before a judge at Swindon Crown Court so he could change his plea to guilty after lawyers told him he had no defence to the charge.

Darren Burleigh, defending, asked for the case to be adjourned so the probation service can compile a presentence report.

He said he had offences of violence in the past and received a jail term for common assault which led to him being banned from having the gun.

Although he initially pleaded not guilty, Mr Burleigh said he had different solicitors then and as soon as he took over the case he advised Davis he had no defence.

Judge Tim Mousley QC said "You have now pleaded guilty to both of these offences and will be sentenced sometime in the week starting July 26.

"I will grant you bail between now and then and I will order a presentence report. All sentencing option will be open to the judge who sentences you.

"You should not regard the fact that I am granting bail or ordering a presentence report as an indication there won't be an immediate prison sentence. These are serious matters."

He told him he must reside at his Devizes address, abide by a tagged curfew, not go to Mustang Way, Purton, or contact the victim.

Davis admitted actual bodily harm and possessing a firearm when prohibited as he had it within five years of release from a sentence of between three months and three years.

The defendant pleaded guilty to the assault on the basis he was reckless, and it was not intentional, as the victim was struck by a stray pellet from the weapon.

An earlier hearing was told how the ambulance service were called to a road in Purton on Saturday, January 3, to reports that man had been shot.

A pellet had to be pulled out of the wound and when Davis was arrested soon after he was found to have the gas-propelled gun with sights.