Town youths in gun rampage (From Gazette & Herald)

Town youths in gun rampage

JUVENILES terrorised a Ryedale market town in a drive-by shooting using a powerful paintball gun to fire at cars and pedestrians.

PC Steve Leach, Kirkbymoorside community beat officer, has warned that what youths may consider as "a bit of a laugh" is anti-social behaviour that may cause serious injuries and result in assault charges.

PC Leach said the incident happened between Old Road and Howe End, Kirkbymoor-side, on January 9, when someone reported being shot at from a car.

"We had a problem on Sunday afternoon. There was a car going round with four lads in indiscriminately firing at cars and pedestrians. I got a report that someone had been fired at, and it had narrowly missed them. Then the following day one had been fired at someone's car in Westfield and they had witnessed it being fired at other cars," said PC Leach. He traced the car's details and tracked down the owner and the boys who had been passengers.

PC Leach confiscated a gas-powered paintball gun, which people have to be over 18 to buy and had been bought on the internet for £110. The gun is the type used at professional paint ball sites.

He said the youths had not been charged with any offences, but given a stern warning.

It clearly states on the gun that: "misuse could cause injury or death" and that the user and anyone within range must wear goggles.

PC Leach also seized a spring-loaded paintball gun, which is available at a shop in Helmsley for £17. With both models paint capsules are loaded into the top and shot out of the barrel with great force.

"Fortunately I managed to get to these lads before they've done anything serious. The outcome could've been worse if one of them had hit someone in the face," said PC Leach.

"I want people to realise that shooting at cars and pedestrians could result in them being prosecuted for a criminal offence. If a paintball hit someone in the face, it could have had their eye out. It stings when it hits someone, causing sufficient pain for it to be classed as an assault."

A number of buildings and their windows in Helmsley, have been attacked with paintball guns, and incidents have escalated since "mischief night" in November.

PC Leach appealed for shopkeepers to sell the guns responsibly and for parents to be aware that the guns should not be taken out into public places.

Updated: 11:16 Monday, January 17, 2005