TEESSIDE TEEN SHOT IN BACK BY BULLYING OFFENDER
A bullying offender, Tyler Colligan, who was involved in shooting at wildlife on the River Tees, turned his BB gun on a teenage boy and shot him.Colligan, now aged 20, shot the 17-year-old in his back.
The incident occurred when the teen was socialising with friends on the river bank at Thornaby, and Colligan arrived with his friends.
Colligan was previously shooting at birds and swans before he aimed his weapon at the victim.
He told the boy, "You'd better run, I'm going to shoot you," and as the boy ran, Colligan fired a bullet into his back and shouted, "If you tell the police, I'll batter you." The victim was taken to James Cook University Hospital and treated for a 1cm bullet entry wound.
Colligan was arrested but refused to answer police questions and was granted bail.
He later carried out further offences.
Colligan appeared at Teesside Crown Court via video link from Holme House prison, pleaded guilty to possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, and to assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
He was sentenced to 57 months in a Young Offenders' Institution, considering his age and previous convictions, including three for carrying a knife.
His prior offences and the court's sentencing guidelines were taken into account, and he was also sentenced for additional offences committed last year.
