Stoned teen in paintball rampage

A stoned teenager drove through New Plymouth for an hour yesterday, taking pot shots at cars, people and buildings with a paintball gun loaded with yellow paint pellets.

One male victim was left with a sizeable welt on his arm. He did not need medical attention but a number of cars and houses were left splattered with paint.

The rampage began about 10am and ended an hour later when the teenager crashed into another car, The Taranaki Daily News reported.

Sergeant Grant Sawtell said the teenager had fired randomly at cars, pedestrians and property.

"He was driving, shooting and trying to avoid police. It was a recipe for disaster."

The teenager was a disqualified driver and was not supposed to have the car. He admitted smoking cannabis before his shooting spree, Mr Sawtell said.

A 19-year-old appeared in New Plymouth District Court yesterday facing charges including disqualified driving, reckless driving, recklessly discharging a firearm, possession of a pipe to smoke cannabis and driving under the influence of drugs.

He was remanded on bail to reappear on August 20.

- NZPA