Friends helping an Alexandra teenager celebrate his birthday took cover behind a wheelie bin when he became angry and fired his new airgun at them, shooting one in the knee, Alexandra District Court has heard.
Anthony McLellan (18), labourer, admitted charges of causing bodily injury to Sfen Rouse-Henry by carelessly using an airgun and discharging an airgun with reckless disregard for the safety of others, on July 29 in Alexandra.
Judge John Macdonald convicted and remanded him to October 16 and ordered destruction of the gun. Prosecutor Sergeant Ross Hutton said the group was drinking together that night.
McLellan became ''angry and agitated'' after receiving texts and calls on his cellphone.
He went home and got his high-powered air rifle and then met the friends again, walking along the street.
First, he fired three or four shots towards them and then stopped, saying he thought they were another group, Sgt Hutton said. He discharged more shots in the air later.
The group took the gun off him but gave it back as they headed home.
After walking off, he reloaded the gun and shot at his friends, who were following him, then reloaded and shot again as they sought cover behind a wheelie bin. Mr Rouse-Henry screamed after being hit in the left knee. McLellan ran off and hid.
The victim needed surgery to remove the pellet and had two weeks off work, Sgt Hutton said.
The defendant told police he ''got angry'' but had no intention of hurting anyone. Counsel Tim Cadogan said McLellan had just bought the gun that day. He had been ''upset and extremely emotional'' that evening for a number of reasons.
The group were ''very good friends'' and a non-association clause in McLellan's bail conditions meant he was not permitted to have any contact with them.
Mr Cadogan said that meant McLellan would miss several 18th and 20th birthday parties and asked if that clause could be removed.
Judge Macdonald said it would remain. All sentencing options remained on the table, the judge said.
