Man who blinded officer to remain in hospital unit

A man who shot and blinded a police officer has been told he will be detained indefinitely in a secure mental health unit.

Matthew Tearle, from Rugeley, who has schizophrenia and Asperger's syndrome, fired a rubber ball from a paintball gun through his front door in October 2014, hitting Sgt Jon King's eye.

Tearle appeared via video link at Stafford Crown Court on Thursday, and was told an indefinite hospital order would be renewed.

He was found by the jury to have been in possession of a prohibited firearm, and to have caused grievous bodily harm with intent.

Mr King, who retired from Staffordshire Police after losing his eye, spent five hours talking to Tearle in October 2014.

The incident occurred after Tearle's brother, Kieran Majevadia, had called for help when Tearle would not let him into his flat in Wat Tyler Close.

The authorities - plus Tearle's brother and mother - tried to persuade him to come out, but it was decided the door had to be broken down.

As a hole was smashed in the door, Tearle fired through it, hitting Mr King's right eye and drawing blood.

A second shot narrowly missed his left eye and a further rubber projectile skimmed another officer's hair, the jury heard during his trial in 2016.

Staffordshire Police described it at the time as a "tragic case", and said Mr King was pleased with the outcome of the initial trial as he knew Tearle would get the treatment that he needed.

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