Sgt Jon King shooting: Man sent to mental health unit after Staffordshire policeman loses eye in paintball gun blast

Matthew Tearle, 35, appeared at Stafford Crown Court, where a jury found he was responsible for the shooting, and also that he possessed a prohibited firearm.

Mr King, who had 26 years service with the police force, was shot twice in the face at close range after he and his colleagues were called to help paramedics at a house in Wat Tyler Close, Rugeley, on October 19, 2014.

Tearle, who suffers from schizophrenia and Asperger's syndrome, has been given hospital order under section 37 of Mental Health Act.

The jury did not have to find him guilty of a crime, just that he carried out the acts alleged, as he had been declared unfit for trial.

Tearle, of no fixed address, has been at St George's Hospital in Stafford while the case was pending.

Mr King has since chronicled his recovery in a series of YouTube videos, the most recent of which was published in June. He has retired from the force on medical grounds.

Today, ACC Nick Adderley, from Staffordshire Police, said: "We acknowledge today's outcome.

"Every day our officers face danger as part of their role to protect the people of Staffordshire.

"Sadly on this occasion the actions of Matthew Tearle had devastating consequences for Jon, which not only affected him, but his whole family.

"As a result of the serious injury sustained Jon was forced to retire on medical grounds from his role as a hardworking and dedicated Police Sergeant. He was an excellent officer and is already much missed by all his colleagues.

"Although this was an isolated incident it is a prudent reminder that policing carries an element of risk, and officers regularly face dangerous situations. But their priority remains the same - protecting the people of Staffordshire.

"This was a distressing incident but Jon did what the public would expect without hesitation. His actions at the time are to be commended."

Judge Mark Eades announced that High Sheriff of Staffordshire awards will be awarded to Jon King; Inspector Kevin Mulligan; PC Steven Davenport and Special Constable Sydney Cooper in recognition of their efforts to help Mr Tearle.

Mr Tearle's mother and brother will also be awarded the same honour.

Jason Corden-Bowen, Senior Crown Prosecutor from West Midlands Crown Prosecution Service, said: "Paint-ball competitions are a popular and widely pursued recreational activity and paint-ball products are legitimately available for purchase. Ordinarily paint-ball guns are classified as air weapons and are exempt from legislative restrictions. However, where an air weapon is sufficiently powerful it ceases to be free from that exemption and is categorised as specially dangerous. If an air weapon is specially dangerous it is considered to be a firearm in law.

"In this case, although the air weapon that Matthew Tearle used was purchased lawfully, after it was discharged at very close range into a police officer's face, it was tested by experts and found to be powerful enough to be classified as a 'specially dangerous air weapon.' As a direct result of that power it was not exempt and fell into the ordinary firearms legislation.

"The dimensions of the air weapon concerned were also such that it constituted a prohibited weapon and attracts a minimum sentence under the Firearms Act."

Mr King was the second serving police officer in his family to be shot – his brother Geoff King was hit while working in Wolverhampton back in 2006.

In November of that year, the Pc was opened fire on while on a path off the Penn Road after being approached during police checks following a spate of car thefts. He was shot twice and lost six-and-a-half pints of blood. Doctors said he was within two minutes of dying.