Teenager accused of shooting schoolboy in Kesgrave only wanted to 'scare him', court told
The 16 year-old denies attempted murder.
A 16-year-old boy accused of shooting a teenager in the face with a shotgun as he walked to school in Kesgrave in Suffolk only wanted to "scare" him, a court has heard.
Giving evidence at his trial on Wednesday, the defendant admitted having a Beretta firearm, but denied intending to shoot or kill him.
He told jurors that he had an interest in guns "at quite an early age" but said he was "truly sorry" for the injuries he caused the boy.
The teenage defendant, who cannot be named for legal reasons, denies the attempted murder of the boy, who was shot in Kesgrave, in Ipswich, Suffolk, on September 7th last year.
He was left with "devastating and life-changing injuries", suffering a stroke shortly after at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, and has been "partially paralysed" as a result, the trial at Ipswich Crown Court has heard.
Answering questions from defence barrister Diana Ellis QC on Wednesday, he admitted intending to cause the boy fear, but denied intending to kill him.
She asked him: "Did you intend to shoot him in the face?"
He replied: "No I didn't."
She said: "Did you intend to kill him?"
He said: "No I didn't."
Asked how he felt about the injuries he caused, the defendant said: "I can't imagine the pain and suffering that his family must have gone through, let alone him, and I am truly sorry for what I did."
He spoke of being humiliated as a child and developing anxiety and panic attacks.
Asked what his main interests outside school were, he replied: "Videogames and clay pigeon shooting.
"I had an interest in guns at quite an early age."
The trial continues.