Final warnings for BB gun boys
Final warnings have been given to three of the boys arrested after children were shot at with BB guns while they played on the playground of a primary school in Rugeley.
Four 12-year-old boys were arrested shortly after the shootings at Etching Hill Primary School and were questioned at Cannock Police Station by detectives on suspicion of assault.
The arrested boys were not pupils at the school and three have now been given final warnings while no action will be taken against the fourth.
A total of 17 children, aged between seven and 11-years-old, were shot at while they played at the school, in Penk Drive, on March 15.
The children, 15 boys and two girls, suffered minor injuries from plastic pellets fired into the playground by people taking pot shots through a hedge.
Chief Inspector Juliet Prince, of Staffordshire Police, said: "This incident could have had much more serious consequences. It is extremely fortunate that none of the children involved suffered any serious injury.
"Having considered the full circumstances, and after taking advice from the CPS, it has been decided that, on this occasion, final warnings for three of the boys is the most appropriate and constructive way of bringing home to them the seriousness of what they did.
"This will be reflected in them having to engage in a long-term, comprehensive and challenging programme with the youth offending team."
She added: "BB guns and air weapons are not toys. They can injure, and even kill. We will not hesitate to arrest and take appropriate action against those who misuse them."
Final warnings mean the boys will be referred to a youth offending team and they will have to disclose the fact they have been given the warnings for the next five years on things such as job applications.
