AN Atherton man says he has been left with permanent scarring on his neck after being shot with an air rifle.

Christopher Barnes said the pellet from the rifle is still planted in his spine because doctors could not remove it during an operation.

Robert Barnes, aged 48, of Oxford Road, Atherton, who is not related to Mr Barnes, pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm, and was sentenced to eight months in prison suspended for two years at Liverpool Crown Court.

He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £100.

After the hearing, Christopher Barnes, also of Oxford Road, said he has lost out on work because of the incident, which happened on July 3 last year, because he is still suffering from neck pain.

Mr Barnes, aged 24, said: "My friend was selling an air rifle to him and I went along. My friend set up the rifle to show it was working, but it wasn't loaded.

"The next thing I know, he shot me in the neck with the rifle. It was very painful, and the pellet is still on my spine because they could not remove it.

"The sentence is too lenient — he should have been sent to prison. I have got permanent scarring on my neck as a result."