A man who fired a weapon towards a young child has avoided an immediate jail sentence.

Jordan Towner, from Maidstone, claimed he was aiming at the toddler's nappy while playing with a BB gun in October 2018.

The pellet struck the child, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, but fortunately it didn't cause any injury, Maidstone Crown Court heard.

The 25-year-old admitted what he had done was a "stupid, reckless act" - and his lover Tamara Towner, 21, later admitted she had also fired the weapon.

Prosecutor Eleanor Scott-Davies said the two were originally charged with cruelty to a child but on the day of their trial, the Crown Prosecution Service added a charge of common assault, which they both admitted.

She said the Towners were visiting relatives when Jordan began playing with the BB gun which he had brought along.

"At some point the victim was shot in the leg which caused no injury but caused the child to cry out. Jordan said at the time: 'I was aiming for the nappy.'

"Both were arrested and Tamara, of York Road, Maidstone, also admitted that she had fired the gun - claiming she was aiming at a toy car."

Jordan, of Springwood Road, Barming, spent the 40 minutes in the dock constantly biting his nails as his barrister Philip Sinclair said Jordan "presents as very immature."

"He says he wasn't aiming at the child. But whatever it was it was a reckless and foolish act. He is extremely naive."

Jordan was given a four month jail sentence, suspended for 18 months, and Tamara received a 12-month community order.

"It may have been a stupid, reckless act but it was also rather nasty and made the child cry" - Judge Julian Smith

Judge Julian Smith told them: "What happened isn't exactly clear but it would seem that the gun was at this house, and people were shooting each other with it, and the gun was fired in the general direction of the victim.

"It may have been a stupid, reckless act but it was also rather nasty and made the child cry. "

He added that a report indicated Jordan had little insight into his actions and "showed little care."

"Each of you were stupid and thoughtless and caused pain to a vulnerable victim."

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