Harpfields park where the victim was shot in the scrotum (Picture: Google streetview)

An ongoing dispute between two neighbours, Mark Lownds and Roy Maddox, led to a gruesome showdown in which Lownds shot Maddox in the testicles while walking his dog.

Maddox had an air rifle pellet removed (safely) from his scrotum in hospital after the attack.

The 25-year-old intentionally hit Mr Maddox as he crossed the car park to Harpfields Park in Trent Vale, Staffordshire, on November 3 last year.

Lownds, from Hartshill, pleaded guilty at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court to causing actual bodily harm and carrying a firearm in a public place.


Lownds was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years, and given an anti-social behaviour order (ASBO) preventing him owning or possessing an air weapon.



He was also ordered to carry out 100 hours unpaid work and given a 12 month restraining order banning him from contacting or approaching Mr Maddox.

Recorder Christopher Goodchild said: ‘You shot this man in his scrotum. Fortunately there were no serious after-effects.’

Lownds was also ordered to pay £500 compensation, £1,000 prosecution costs and a £100 victim surcharge.

The court Mr Maddox was shot as he took his pet pooch on his normal morning walk.

Prosecutor David Jackson said: ‘When he looked inside the car he recognised the defendant as the person with whom he has had problems in the past.

‘He was concerned for his dog’s safety as the car was moving. When he looked back he saw the car had moved forwards halfway across the car park.

‘The front passenger window was wound down. He could see the defendant in the car pointing an air rifle at him.

‘Before he had time to react the defendant fired the weapon and the pellet struck Mr Maddox in his genital area.

‘It was lodged in his scrotum and had to be surgically removed at hospital later that day.’

Police arrested Lownds later that day and he initially told officers he was aiming at a bird but changed his plea on the first day of his trial on Tuesday (24/9).

Michael Wolkind, defending, said: ‘The incident involved no long-term planning. He made a very foolish and very bad choice.’

Lownds refused to comment outside court.