A pensioner has been ordered to carry out 40 hours of community service after hitting a window cleaner while shooting his air rifle.
Frank Day of Arnhem Drive, New Addington, pleaded guilty to firing an air weapon and assault by beating, when he appeared at Croydon Magistrates Court on Friday.
The court heard the 65-year-old was firing the air rifle from his home, when one pellet ricocheted hitting nearby window cleaner Samuel Bartlett, who was working across the road.
Day initially contested the assault charge claiming he did not accept the pellet could have hit Mr Bartlett.
But he later asked for the charge to be put to him again where he pleaded guilty.
Describing Day's actions as "foolish and reckless", District Judge Teresa Szagun sentenced him to 40 hours community service to be carried out within 12 months and ordered the forfeiture and destruction of his air rifle.
He was also ordered to pay £60 in damages to Mr Bartlett and £85 in court costs.
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