A TEENAGER who shot a Bridgwater schoolboy in the head with an airgun was made to pay his victim just £100 compensation.

The Mercury reported last September how 12-year-old Haiden Meare was hit outside his home in Osborne Road as he was about to walk to Chilton Trinity Technology College.

The pellet bounced off his skull but police said he could have been seriously injured had it struck his eye or temple.

This week, Haiden’s mother Terri told the Mercury he had only just returned to his normal, active self, six months on.

The man who fired the airgun, 18-year-old Alex Wintle, was given a six-month suspended prison sentence by magistrates this month, after being found guilty of causing actual bodily harm; he had denied the charge.

Wintle, who the court was told now lives in Gloucester, was also ordered to pay £55 in costs and to pay Haiden £100 compensation.

Magistrates also ordered the weapon be destroyed. They took into account Wintle’s remorse, his mental health, and his “immaturity”; he was 17 when the incident happened.

Terri Meare told the Mercury: “I was a little disappointed. I thought he would have gone to prison.

“But at least he hasn’t just got a slap on the wrists.

“Haiden is glad that justice has been done and he is happy with the compensation.

“Haiden is fine now, although he’s only recently started going outside with his friends again.

“He has always been but active but it took him a long time to recover from the ordeal.”