Teenager shot

A TEENAGER is recovery today after being shot with an air rifle in what is believed to a deliberate attack.The 14-year-old from Ipswich was preparing to camp with three friends in Freston last night when he was hit with a pellet and received bruising to his leg.

A TEENAGER is recovery today after being shot with an air rifle in what is believed to a deliberate attack.

The 14-year-old from Ipswich was preparing to camp with three friends in Freston last night when he was hit with a pellet and received bruising to his leg.

The group of teenagers, all believed to be from Ipswich, were setting up camp at Stoke Sailing Club in Freston Hill at about 8.10pm when they heard shots ring out.

The boy received a puncture wound to his leg but did not need hospital treatment and an ambulance was not called.

Kevin Robinson, a member of the sailing club, was down on the shore at the time of the incident.

He said: “I think the boy had quite a bad bruise and it broke his skin slightly, but he's lucky it wasn't his face or it would have been a different story.”

Police attended the scene and the helicopter was used to conduct a search of the area but the culprit was not found.

They are today treating the incident as assault and are keen to hear from anyone who may have been in the area using an air gun at the time.

It is not known whether camping is permitted at the site but a member of the club was aware they were camping and is thought to have helped them collect fire wood for the night.

Police officers will interview the teenager today to try and ascertain exactly what happened and follow-up inquiries will be conducted.

Anyone with information should call Pc Will Ormsby at Capel St Mary police on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Were you at the sailing club when the assault happened? Call The Evening Star newsdesk on 01473 324788 or e-mail: eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.