Govan man convicted of shooting boy, 8, with BB gun

A man has been convicted of shooting an eight-year-old boy with a BB gun.

Anthony Gilhooly, 37, struck the victim once on the back at his home in Glasgow's Govan between August and July 2020.

A jury at Glasgow Sheriff Court watched a recorded police interview which the boy gave to the police.

He told an officer that he was alone with Gilhooly in his bedroom when he was shot.

He stated Gilhooly brought out a red handgun and shot him once on the back.

The boy was asked what his reaction was and he said: "I just kept saying ow."

He added that the shot left him with a "little red circle mark."

The boy claimed the gun was then put in the bin and Gilhooly apologised.

Gilhooly was found guilty of the charge of assaulting the boy after trial.

Gilhooly was cleared of further charges which included shooting a nine-year-old boy with a BB gun.

He told officers that he was shot on the back while playing on his bike.

The boy later told prosecutor Alasdair Knox and Patricia Baillie, defending, that it was only the other boy that was shot.

Sentence was deferred until next month pending background reports by sheriff Tom Hughes.

He said: "You have been convicted and you have a record of previous convictions for violence so that makes this matter serious but I will keep all options open."

Gilhooly, still of Govan, was granted bail meantime.

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