Girl injured in air weapon attack

Police say a schoolgirl was almost blinded after being shot in the head with an air weapon.

Detectives on Teesside are hunting a gang of youths after the "callous and indiscriminate" attack on Saturday.

The 13-year-old girl spent 24-hours in hospital after a pellet became lodged in her nasal cavity - less than an inch from her right eye.

A spokesman for Cleveland Police said youths in camouflage gear where in the area at the time of the attack.

The girl was shot at around 2300 BST on Saturday near the Whale Hill shops in Eston.

'Horrendous consequences'

She managed to get home to raise the alarm and was taken to hospital.

An X-Ray showed the pellet, which came from an air rifle, lodged in her nasal bone.

She spent Sunday at the James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough.

A spokesman for Cleveland Police said: "his was an indiscriminate, callous and senseless attack, which could have had horrendous consequences.

"This girl could easily have been blinded or much worse.

"A number of youths, thought to be around 14 years of age, were seen in the area at the time wearing camouflage clothing and carrying rucksacks and sleeping bags.

"Air weapons are not toys and can be deadly in the wrong hands.

"It is only by good luck that the girl did not suffer more serious injuries."