Ex-Army Sniper Jailed For Using Public As 'Target Practice'

A former Lithuanian Army sniper used a high-powered air rifle to shoot five innocent members of the public - as target practice.

Ruslanas Solovjovas camped in a third-floor window and opened fire on passers-by in Boston, Lincolnshire, in scenes that have been compared to the Frederick Forsyth classic 'The Day of the Jackal'.

Lincoln Crown Court heard that a mother needed hospital treatment after suffering a hole in her right leg from a pellet and a man was left with blood on his back.

After reports of shots being fired, dozens of armed police stormed the former pub Solovjovas was camped in. He told them he was "Jesus Christ" and that he had a gun.

He also told them:

"I was a sniper in my own country."

Phil Howes, prosecuting, said pellets from the weapon were cutting through clothing.

He told the court:

"People reported the noise of pellets whizzing past as they walked down the street. A cushion had been propped up against the window to give him a more comfortable position."

The court also heard ho44-year-old old woman is suffering from recurring nightmares in which she is:

"...always running away from the shooting"

Judge Michael Heath said his sentencing powers were limited by the fact that none of the physical injuries were serious.

Judge Heath told Solovjovas:

"On 13 November you were very drunk and you behaved stupidly.

"You had been a sniper in the Lithuanian Army when you did your national service and you were involved in target practice.

"You bought an air rifle a few days before 13 November and should have taken the advice of your girlfriend to get rid of it.

"You chose to exercise target practice on five innocent members of the public who were going about their lawful business."

"You caused some physical and psychological harm. Fortunately, the physical injuries were not serious.

"But you could have caused the loss of eyes and heaven knows what would have happened if you had hit somebody in the temple."

Solovjovas, of Boston, admitted three charges of common assault and two charges of assault causing actual bodily harm to the five people he shot.

He was jailed for 14 months.

More: Family Pays Tribute To Soldier Killed In 'Senseless Act'