A LITTLE boy was shot in the face with an airgun bullet as he played in the back garden.
Harry Brakes, five, was at a relative's home in Stafford Leys, Leicester Forest East, when he was struck by the small metal bullet and rushed to hospital.
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The five-year-old was hit with a small metal bullet and was rushed to hospital Credit: LeicestershireLive/BPM 2
Harry Brakes had to have surgery to remove the pellet after being shot while playing in the garden Credit: LeicestershireLive/BPM
The youngster, who was shot by the airgun just before 2pm Wednesday, had surgery to remove the "metal dart" pellet.
He had been playing in the garden with other children before he was shot in the face - leaving little Harry to run off in tears.
His dad Martyn, 37, said his son would be left with a scar and is still in pain five days later following the distressing ordeal.
He told the Leicestershire Live: " "The other night Harry was upset and he was still in pain.
"He said to me, 'I wish this hadn't happened - it's hurting'.
"It's horrible to see and as his dad I want answers.
"He had to spend all Wednesday evening in hospital, then was back in again the next day from 7.15am until about 8pm that night.
"They got the bullet out - it looks like a small metal dart."
He added: "He was playing in the garden with other children when it happened.
"They heard a pop and next thing Harry was in tears, crying out.
AIR GUN 'SHOOTING'
"The adults there looked around and couldn't see any windows open and don't know where it came from.
"I don't now if it was deliberate or accidental that he was hit. But that doesn't matter - someone is responsible for this."
But the dad says that he's furious that the culprit who fired the gun still hasn't been found.
He said: "My son is in pain and whoever did this to him is sitting at home, just fine.
"I'm angry about it.
"He's just a five-year-old lad and I hoped they would take this more seriously."
A spokesman for Leicestershire Police said: "At around 3pm on Wednesday 4 August, officers received a report from a member of the public that a boy had been shot with an air rifle at a property on Stafford Leys, Leicester Forest East.
"Officers attended and the boy was taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary with a non-life changing injury. He has since been discharged.
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"No other injuries were reported.
"Officers have been carrying out a full investigation into the report including searches in the area and house to house enquiries.
"The investigation remains ongoing and the officer in the case has been keeping the family of the victim updated on the progress of enquiries."