Girl's gun terror in the park (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Girl's gun terror in the park

Eight-year-old Shannon Goddard, who was threatened with a BB gun, with her brother Jordan and mum Emmalene Picture Ref: 77779-40AN eight-year-old girl was left terrified after a gun was pointed at her head while she was out playing.

Shannon Goddard was in a children's play area at Shaftesbury Lake, Park South, when a teenager pounced on her, pulled out a weapon and shouted 'freeze'.

She is now too afraid to return to the park.

"I felt scared," said the Liden Primary School pupil. "I was worried that it could have been a real one. I'm too scared to go back there again."

Her mum, Emmalene, 25, of Belvedere Road, Park South, was about five minutes behind her daughter when the teenager struck.

She said: "We had just been to the play park for the little ones and we were on our way to the one for older children.

"I was with my son and when I got to the play area I saw Shannon and she was just sat there all quiet. When she told me what happened I had a go at the lad and he said 'what's the matter, it's only a fake gun'.

"I was annoyed that he had done it to a kid because they don't know whether it's real or not.

"Shannon was very upset. We went to a caf afterward and every time a young kid came past she just cowered up to me. I had to keep saying it's not him, it's not him."

Other park users are also shocked. Mother-of-two Joanne Mason, 34, of Shaftesbury Avenue said: "It's awful. It's scary for our children. I agree they should be banned."

Swindon police believe the weapon was a BB gun. Mrs Goddard, who lives near the park with Shannon, her son, Jordan, 19 months, and husband, Tony, wants children banned from using them.

"They can be very scary and are capable of hurting people," she said.

Officers are also urging parents to stop their children from playing with replica weapons.

"While there is no legal restriction on buying BB guns, they do have the potential to maim, blind or even worse," said Swindon police spokeswoman Alvina Kumar.

"We would urge parents to think twice about letting their child have one of these weapons.

"If you are happy for your child to use one please make sure he or she is using it responsibly and on private property.

"Anyone misusing a BB gun runs the risk of arrest and prosecution."

The teenager in the latest incident, which happened at 11.45am on Saturday, called himself 'Luke'.

He is described as white, aged 16, 5ft 8ins tall of skinny build. He had shaven, blond hair and was wearing a blue and white hooded jacket, blue jeans and a ring on the forefinger of his left hand.

A second man, described as white, 5ft 5in tall with dark hair and a blue jacket, was with him.

Anyone with information can phone Swindon police on 01793 528111.

BB panic

Last month a teenager admitted causing panic at a Swindon park while in possession of a replica handgun.

The 17-year-old from West Swindon, who cannot be named for legal reason, was showing his gun off to a friend in a children's playground at Lydiard Park when he was caught on camera.

Between January and the end of April this year there were 94 incidents involving BB guns or replicas in Wiltshire. Campaigners, including former South Swindon MP Julia Drown, have joined calls for them to be outlawed.

Ben Payne