A teenager confined to a wheelchair for life after shots were fired at poachers from a gamekeeper’s car, a court heard.

John Smith and four others were making their escape in a Subaru car from private land in Hadlow, near Tonbridge, when a bullet lodged in his spine.

“He was caused terrible injuries, serious injuries indeed,” said prosecutor Jonathon Higgs. “He is, and will remain, in a wheelchair.”

Maidstone Crown Court heard how, two years ago, Mr Smith, then 16, was with the others and Lurcher dogs “lamping” for rabbits.

Gamekeeper Jonathan Cannon, 56, was also out late the same evening with Paul Jeffrey, 38, and another man, controlling vermin.

They spotted activity in the fields and went to investigate, and the poachers made off.

As the car was getting away, a bullet went through the rear, through the rear seat and struck Mr Smith, of Gravesend, in the spine.

Mr Higgs said a total of five shots hit the car but there was an issue as to how many others were fired. One left a hole in the bonnet.

Jeffrey, of Keats Road, Aylesford, admits inflicting grievous bodily harm, but denies possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life and to cause fear of violence.

Cannon, of West Lodge, Oxen Hoath, Oxenhoath Road, Hadlow, denies all the charges.

Jurors, who have been told it is a retrial, Judge David Griffith-Jones, QC, and lawyers went to view the scene of the incident on Thursday.

The trial continues.