A MAN who "gloated" about shooting a Lithuanian in the head with a crossbow after an argument got "out of hand" faces ten years in jail for attempted murder.
The victim narrowly escaped death when, after being knocked unconscious during a fight in a Grimsby park, when 22-year-old Rod Woolliss fired the 18-inch-long crossbow into his cheek, just below the ear.
Rolanda Gedminas was taken to hospital with the eight-inch bolt sticking out of the side of his head, where it was removed by surgeons.
At Hull Crown Court yesterday, Woolliss, of Millom Way, Grimsby, admitted attempting to murder Mr Gedminas, 27, and also pleaded guilty to violent disorder and attempted grievous bodily harm.
Adrian Francis, 25, of Corporation Road, Grimsby, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and attempted grievous bodily harm. Ashley Meadows, 27, of Haven Avenue, Grimsby, admitted to violent disorder and not guilty to attempted grievous bodily harm.
And a 17-year-old, who cannot be named because of his age, pleaded guilty to a charge of violent disorder.
Prosecuting, Richard Woolfall told how a violent confrontation took place between two groups of men, both armed, at 10.30pm in the Duke of York Gardens on July 7.
"There was an incident the day before in a shop when there was an exchange of words between some Lithuanian men and a shopkeeper," said Mr Woolfall.
"This group of men heard about it. There is some suggestion that each group had weapons. It got out of hand.
"Mr Gedminas was kicked repeatedly on the ground and lost consciousness. Mr Woolliss went to Mr Francis' house and collected a crossbow.
"It was operated with one hand, rather than the two-handed variety, and is classified as a lethal weapon. He had used it the day before for shooting at a fence. Mr Francis has put Gedminas in the recovery position.
"Woolliss returned and stood over him, pausing for a few seconds before firing the crossbow at his head. The bolt penetrated his head. If it had been any deeper, or 1mm either way, he would have died instantly."
"Woolliss was gloating about what he had done."
The bolt penetrated Mr Gedminas's face by one centimetre before hitting bone. He underwent surgery at Grimsby's Diana, Princess Of Wales Hospital.
The court heard how Woolliss had previous convictions for drugs and dishonesty, but had never been to jail for violence before.
Barrister Richard Butters, representing Woolliss, said the Crown had opened the case fairly and asked for a direction on the possible sentence his client would face. He said there was "no point" in asking for a pre-sentence report in his case.
Judge Mettyear told Woolliss. "The maximum sentence I will impose in your case is ten years for all three offences." Barristers agreed to adjourn for sentencing at Hull Crown Court on December 23.
Woolliss, Francis and Meadows were remanded in custody and the 17-year-old released on bail. No Lithuanians faced charges as a result of the violence.
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