Teenager sentenced after shooting friend

Prosecutor, Sergeant Ian Collin said the injured man had incurred expenses of $1250 as a result of the injury. Photo / File

An Alexandra teenager who got drunk on his 18th birthday and started firing his new airgun haphazardly, shooting his good friend in the knee, was sentenced yesterday to four months community detention.

"That the victim was in fact a very good friend shows how stupid and pointless this whole episode was," Judge Fred McElrea told Anthony McLellan.

"I hope the defendant has learnt that guns and alcohol do not mix and has learned other things from this ... " Judge McElrea said.

McLellan admitted shooting a firearm with reckless disregard for the safety of others and causing injury to Sfen Rouse-Henry by carelessly using an airgun on July 29 at Alexandra.

Counsel for McLellan, Tim Cadogan, said the defendant bought the gun on his birthday and had been drinking with a group of friends. After "too much alcohol" and receiving texts from an ex-girlfriend, McLellan made the "utterly stupid" decision to get his slug gun out.

" ... he shot in a reckless manner rather than aiming it at someone".

As a result of the incident, he had lost the friendship of Mr Rouse-Henry.

"He expresses his extreme regret that his friendship has gone but knows it's his own doing," Mr Cadogan said.

The facts summary said Mr Rouse-Henry needed surgery to remove the pellet from his left knee and had two weeks off work.

McLellan wanted to pay $500 emotional harm reparation to the victim "to put this right with his friend, as much as he can", Mr Cadogan said.

Prosecutor, Sergeant Ian Collin said the injured man had incurred expenses of $1250 as a result of the injury.

Judge McElrea also sentenced McLellan to 150 hours of community work, eight months supervision and ordered him to pay $1250 reparation to the victim. He ordered the destruction of the gun.