Home   Kent   News   Article

Jail for men who shot teenage poacher

A former gamekeeper and a man who shot a teenage poacher, leaving him paralysed and confined to a wheelchair for life, have been jailed at Maidstone Crown Court.

Paul Jeffrey, 38, of Keats Road, Larkfield, fired the shot that injured 18-year-old John Smith on April 17, 2006.

Jeffrey was sentenced to two years eight months.

The other man, 56-year-old Jonathan Cannon, then of Oxenhoath Road, Hadlow, now from Tunbridge Wells, was locked up for three years.

Jeffrey, received a lesser term because he admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm, while Cannon denied the charge but was convicted.

Both men denied possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life and an alternative of possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and were acquitted of both charges.

Mr Smith, then 16, from Meopham, was "lamping" for rabbits with others near the stately home Oxon Hoath in Hadlow when the incident happened.

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More