Shropshire councillor tells of his gun attack fear
The victim of a gun attack has spoken of his family's fear over the incident after a 43-year-old man admitted shotgun charges at Shrewsbury Crown Court.
Councillor Vince Hunt, from Trefonen, near Oswestry, said the incident which included the family's geese being shot dead, had caused a great deal of distress to his family.
Paul Carruthers, 43, who lives in the village has been warned he faces a prison sentence or being made the subject of a hospital order under the Mental Health Act.
Judge Robin Onions remanded him in custody after an appearance on Monday when he admitted being in possession of a shotgun on May 2 and 3 and killing two geese and causing villagers to fear for their safety. He also admitted damaging a garden shed, an ornamental porcelain goose, a garage, plant pots and a wooden gate.
Children at Trefonen Primary School were kept indoors and armed police officers were sent to Trefonen after a 999 call on the morning of May 3.
After the court appearance Mr Hunt, a Shropshire councillor, said: "This is an incident that clearly caused a lot of distress to my family, especially my wife.
"My son phoned me up about 4pm the day before to say two of the geese were dead, they were covered in blood and he believed somebody had shot them.
"I was standing for election and wondered if it was some sort of intimidation.
"The following morning I heard a gunshot and it was Carruthers with a gun. I went out to him and he asked for a fight. I said I don't think so you've got a gun.
"He pointed the gun at me, I got a rush of adrenaline ran away and called the police. I said you need to get someone here really quickly.
"I'm just overjoyed nobody was injured."
