A Maidstone couple have admitted hitting a toddler in the leg with a ball-bearing gun, after claims one of them was trying to hit a nappy.

Jordan Towner, 24, and Tamara Towner, 21, fired the weapon in the youngster's presence and struck the top of the child's leg.

Maidstone Crown Court was told how Tamara's father later told police officers how they heard Jordan say 'I was aiming for the nappy'.

Both pleaded guilty to common assault and will be sentenced later.

Jordan admitted firing the weapon on October 18 last year, and Tamara between October 15 and October 20 last year.

The child, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, escaped without any physical marks from the incidents.

Both defendants claimed to have acted recklessly when firing the weapon.

But prosecutor Eleanor Scott-Davies said although that was accepted in respect of Tamara, it was not in respect of Jordan in light of the 'nappy' comment allegedly made by him.

"That suggests it was not reckless so we do not accept the basis (of plea) put forward by Jordan Towner" she explained.

"We are not saying this was done in a malicious way or in any way to discipline or harm the child, but Jordan Towner did intend for that contact to be made with the nappy"

Judge Julian Smith told the Towners: "You have pleaded guilty to common assault. It's a serious charge and you both understand why.

"But it is important I reach an appropriate decision with regards to punishment.

"The better the report, the better it goes for you. Be open, tell the probation service what's going on, and tell them what problems you have."

Jordan Towner, of Springwood Road, Barming, near Maidstone, and Tamara Towner, of York Road, Maidstone, were released on bail with a condition not to have unsupervised contact with any child under 16.

They are expected to be sentenced during a two-week period commencing January 13.

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