Man arrested after another man shot with air rifle

A man has been arrested after another man was assaulted and shot at with an air rifle in North Staffordshire.

We were called to an address in Wetton at 11.55am on Sunday (2 April) following reports of a disturbance in the street.

We found a man in his 50s with injuries to his face at the scene. He had been approached by a man who then shot an air-rifle at him deliberately, before assaulting him in the street.

None of the pellets hit the victim.

He went to hospital for treatment but has since been discharged and isn’t believed to have any serious injuries.

During the incident, a woman was also assaulted by the suspect. She did not suffer any serious injuries.

We searched an address nearby and recovered an air-rifle from inside. We also found a cannabis grow inside and seized the plants for destruction.

A short time later, a 30-year-old man from near Leek was arrested on suspicion of assault, possession of an air weapon with intent to cause fear of violence, cultivating cannabis and threats to kill.

He remains in custody while inquiries continue.