Woman shot in head in Balintore in row about seagulls

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-33772228

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A woman was shot in the head with an air rifle after challenging another woman about her shooting seagulls.

Mary Johnson, 47, confronted Samantha Brown, 25, in Balintore village square, in the early hours of 5 July.

Brown, of Tain, has pleaded guilty to discharging a weapon at Ms Johnson, injuring her head to her permanent impairment and disfigurement and danger of life.

Sentence was deferred for a background report until 1 September.

Brown, who appeared at Inverness Sheriff Court, was remanded in custody.

Fiscal depute Roderick Urquhart told the court that Brown was 11ft (3m) from Ms Johnson when she fired.

He said: "Although the rifle was damaged when recovered, a ballistics expert who had a similar air rifle said it was potentially lethal, especially from close range."