Teenager shot in leg on Rodwell Trail

8:35am Tuesday 11th August 2009 in News By Stephen Bailey

Bernard Franklin with PCSOs Steph Weedon and Lucy Allmond Bernard Franklin with PCSOs Steph Weedon and Lucy Allmond

A TEENAGER was taken to hospital after being shot in the leg with an air rifle on the Rodwell Trail in Weymouth.

The 18-year-old was walking with a friend near Wellworthy Sports and Social club when someone opened fire.

He was hit two inches above the knee and ran to safety – and it is believed more shots may have been fired as he fled.

Councillors and campaigners spoke of their disgust at Saturday’s incident and police appealed for anyone with information to come forward.

Police and ambulance crews were called to nearby Portland Road at 4.34am to treat the victim, who is from Weymouth.

He was taken to Dorset County Hospital and a police spokesman said: “There appeared to be an air pellet under his skin.”

Officers searched the area but could not find the attackers.

Bernard Franklin, chairman of the Friends of the Rodwell Trail, said: “This attack is something that we abhor.

“It’s not good publicity for the trail, and it’s very sad for whoever was hit.”

He added: “There was also someone with an air rifle a year or so ago but I don’t think anyone was injured.”

Coun Doug Hollings, for Wyke Regis ward, said: “It’s terrible because it’s such a wonderful facility and this will put people off using it.

Related links

“The police must do everything they can and I hope residents keep their eyes open.”

The two and a quarter mile trail is popular walking and cycling route.

It follows the former Weymouth to Portland railway line, which closed in 1965. Sgt Tony Smith, from the Weymouth Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “One shot from an air rifle could cause a life changing injury – people can be blinded or disfigured.

“We would urge anyone with information to contact PC Jimmy Bond on 01305 222222 or the confidential Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.”

* Do you know the teenager shot on the Rodwell Trail or anything about the attack? Call the newsdesk on 01305 830999.

Comments(12)

Bilious says...
9:46am Tue 11 Aug 09

Echo. You have told the story given details of time etc and passed on the police request for information. Why do you want to know who was shot? This makes no difference what so ever to the story, it will just give an excuse to run the story again. Surely if you wanted this "crucial" information your reporter should have investegated more before going to print.

Report this post »

Duckorange says...
9:52am Tue 11 Aug 09

Bilious: Print deadlines, old chap. Even the Echo can't stop the march of time.

Also, it's good - in these days of tight budgets and heightened response to the terrorist menace - to see MI6 sparing James Bond 007 for this investigation. I'll wager good money that it's SMERSH behind this.

Report this post »

weymouthuk says...
11:33am Tue 11 Aug 09

I would have said this looks more like a SPECTOR operation myself. Does anybody know the whereabouts of Rosa Klebb, last seen in Russia?

Report this post »

Duckorange says...
11:58am Tue 11 Aug 09

Of course, Klebb was a member of both SMERSH and SPECTRE, so you might have a point.

However, I am not prepared to rule out some halfwit who creeps around Portland Harbour at four in the morning, off his face on false courage and cheap cider during the school holidays.

Report this post »

weymouthuk says...
12:04pm Tue 11 Aug 09

Klebb was a double agent??!! I hadn't remembered that.

On the other hand, regarding the drunken muppet who thought they were all gangsta' because of an air weapon, you may well be right. Sad world sometimes.

Report this post »

Dorsetdumpling says...
12:39pm Tue 11 Aug 09

Duck - are you referring to the perpetrator or the victim here???!

Report this post »

Duckorange says...
1:33pm Tue 11 Aug 09

Do keep up - I'm referring to the crim. I think.

Report this post »

pd7 says...
3:30pm Tue 11 Aug 09

I cannot understand how people think a airgun is safe to be used in public area's.

Maybe they have a change of mind when they meet one of Dorset's men in black with a nice H+K

Report this post »

The Old Rec says...
3:57pm Tue 11 Aug 09

It is rather sad when an admin error in a council letter warrants more page space space than a lad being shot - albeit with an air rifle. I remember the time when the police response to such an incident would have been far more robust than it is now - and I mean no disrespect to the P.C.S.O.'s featured. I wish the lad a speedy recovery.

Report this post »

Peddy says...
4:01pm Tue 11 Aug 09

pd7 wrote:
I cannot understand how people think a airgun is safe to be used in public area's.

Maybe they have a change of mind when they meet one of Dorset's men in black with a nice H+K
Of course they know it's not safe. It is also illegal.

Report this post »

Mike Edwards says...
9:02am Wed 12 Aug 09

Our house backs onto the trail and I have often been woken at some unearthly hour by yobs shouting their heads off. I have often thought if I had a gun I could pick them off and get back to sleep. Sounds like somebody has actually done it. Or it could just be more yobs out yobbing the other yobs!

Report this post »

Dorsetdumpling says...
9:29am Wed 12 Aug 09

...well, I did wonder what the victim was doing on the trail at 4.30 am.....

Report this post »

click2find

About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree