Owl spotter 'mistaken for a fox'

A owl spotter was seriously injured when a hunter shot him, mistaking his night vision binoculars for a fox's eyes, jurors heard on Tuesday.

Aylesbury Crown Court heard Trevor Lawson, 37, lost a lung after being shot late at night by Anthony Burns, 52, near Hyde Heath, Bucks.

Jurors heard Mr Burns was "lamping", a form of fox-hunting, when he shot journalist Mr Lawson in April 2003.

Mr Burns, from Prestwood, Bucks, denies causing grievous bodily harm.

The court heard wildlife expert Mr Lawson was shot as he looked for owls on a late-night nature walk on a footpath through farmland.

His binoculars had been picked up in a red filter by the men out hunting foxes.

When Mr Burns dialled 999 for help he told the operator the lamp filter picked out what looked like "a massive set of eyes".

Neil Moore, prosecuting, said Mr Lawson had a lung removed, spent two days in intensive care and still has part of the bullet under his skin following the incident.

The case continues.