AN 18-YEAR-OLD man has been prosecuted after firing a catapult in Coombe Bissett.

Aden Wallen-France, of Poplar Way, Ringwood, pleaded guilty to using threatening behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress when he appeared at Salisbury Magistrates Court on February 15.

He was sentenced to a 12-month conditional discharge, ordered to pay a victim services surcharge of £20 and pay Crown Prosecution Costs of £50.

Shortly before 7pm on July 29, 2018, a Volkswagen Polo was seen to pull up outside an address in Homington Lane and one of the occupants of the vehicle was seen to fire a catapult at the building.

The vehicle then continued along the A354 and was later seen by a member of the public at the White Hart pub in Bishopstone.

Officers attended the scene and searched the vehicle and located a catapult.

Enquiries were carried out, including obtaining CCTV footage, and Wallen-France was interviewed and later charged.

PC Martyn Powell said: “This incident is a matter of local public interest for those living in the Salisbury area – in 2018, Wiltshire Police saw a total of 35 incidents involving catapults, with 20 of these in the Salisbury area. I am pleased that, together with the CPS, we were able to put Wallen-France before the courts and achieve a positive conviction.”

Acting Inspector John Hutchings added: “The indiscriminate use of catapults to cause damage or fear is dangerous and unlawful. Following a spate of catapult related incidents in and around Salisbury last year, this conviction is the first of its kind locally where the behaviour of the individual was likely to cause alarm or distress to a person and as such is against the law.

"In this case, excellent CCTV, support from our public and good work by my officers and the CPS has ensured a successful prosecution that sends a clear message; that we will follow the evidence and do our very best to bring those responsible to justice.”