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Teenage girl shot in 'happy slap' attack
A 17-year-old girl was shot with an air rifle before a man allegedly took pictures of her injuries with his mobile phone in a so-called "happy slap" attack, it has been revealed. Joanne Ginley
The victim was shot in the leg with an air rifle in Wortley, Leeds, while she was chatting with friends.
Two men approached her outside the Netto store on Oldfields Lane, Wortley, and one of the men, who loaded an air rifle, shot her in the leg.
Kerry Deville, a student from Beeston, Leeds, said the second man then photographed her injuries using his mobile phone.
She said: "It was sick and I told him it was sick. I even said to him sarcastically, 'do you want me to smile for a picture'. I couldn't believe he did that."
Police and anti-bullying organisations have reported that the teenage fad of "happy slapping" sees people, mainly children, attack passers-by while recording it on their mobile phones.
The craze was first reported in south London around six months ago.
Last night Kerry's mother, Viv Deville, said: "I am worried about what has happened, but it could have been worse.
"I think all air rifles should be banned because she could have lost her life."
A West Yorkshire Police spokeswoman said: "One of the men loaded up what is believed to be an air rifle.
"The girl asked the man not to discharge the weapon in her direction. The weapon was discharged and the girl received an injury to her leg.
"One of the men immediately ran from the scene in an unknown direction, while the other apologised to the girl and then left the scene."
The spokeswoman said as yet police had received no reports that the attack on the teenager was photographed.
"If the complainant says this was photographed then she will have to let the police know and it will become a line of inquiry."
The attack took place on May 25.
The suspect with the weapon was white with short brown hair, 5ft 9-11in and of medium build.
The other man was white, 5ft 7in, of medium build with short brown hair and acne.
Ring 0113 241 4859 or 0800 555 111 with any information.
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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