Man admits killing six-year-old great-grandson with pellet gun

Albert Grannon left hole in boy's abdomen after hitting him with pellet

A man has admitted to shooting and killing his six-year-old great-grandson with an air rifle.

Stanley Metcalf was left with a hole in the side of his abdomen after Albert Grannon fired the weapon at him in July at a house in the village of Sproatley, East Yorkshire.

The 78-year-old has now pleaded guilty to manslaughter at Hull Crown Court. He also admitted to possession of an air rifle without holding a firearms certificate.

Wearing a checked jacket, shirt and tie, the great-grandfather sat in the dock and listened to the brief proceedings through a headset.

Family members sat in the public gallery and on chairs within the courtroom normally reserved for jury members.

No details of the offence were given during Monday’s court hearing.

Stanley was found injured at a property in Church Lane and was pronounced dead later the same day after he was taken to Hull Royal Infirmary.

Last year, an inquest opening at Hull Coroner’s Court heard that the youngster died after suffering a pellet gun injury to the side of his abdomen.

In a statement issued after his death, Stanley’s family described him as “vibrant and full of energy”.

They said: “We are absolutely devastated and completely heartbroken without Stanley and it still doesn’t feel real we won’t see his happy, smiling face again. There are no real words to express how the loss of Stanley has affected us and we all miss him so much.

“Stanley was a loving, caring and beautiful boy.”

Sentencing was adjourned until 2 July at Sheffield Crown Court and Grannon was granted conditional bail.

Judge Peter Kelson QC told the defendant: “It is important I make clear to you the mere fact I am ordering a pre-sentence report and renewing your bail should not be taken by you as any indication as to the likely sentence. This case, while tragic, is very serious and it’s entirely possible that a prison sentence will follow and you must prepare for that.”

Press Association contributed to this report