Yob catapulted ball bearings at sister's boyfriend (From Salisbury Journal)

Yob catapulted ball bearings at sister's boyfriend

7:00am Sunday 13th January 2013 in News By Journal Reporter

A YOB from Harnham has narrowly escaped a prison sentence after catapulting ball bearings at his sister’s boyfriend and damaging two cars.

Blake Aaron Wyatt, 19, pleaded guilty to common assault and two charges of criminal damage following the incident on October 13 last year.

The victim was in his Peugeot 206 parked in Norfolk Road, Salisbury, when a car pulled up next to him and Wyatt, the front seat passenger in the second car, fired a ball bearing at him from a catapult.

The missile hit the victim’s upper arm and further shots dented the bodywork of his car.

The victim drove home and as he reversed into his driveway Wyatt appeared again and fired shots at another car, smashing a back window.

Paul Jones, defending, said that prior to the incident Wyatt had been attacked by a number of people including the victim. “My client accepts that any injury caused is down to him,” said Mr Jones.

“He didn’t plan to target him as such but he took the opportunity to get his own back. As far as he is concerned it is now over and finished with.”

Mr Jones added that Wyatt doesn’t fear prison but had told probation for the first time in his criminal history that he is willing to comply with a community order and unpaid work.

“I think it is fair to say that this is the first time he has given an indication that he is more than willing to do it,” said Mr Jones. “This is a window of opportunity in relation to that.”

Wyatt, of Halfpenny Road, was given a 12-week prison sentence suspended for one year, with a supervision requirement and 60 hours’ unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay £125 compensation.