A THURSLEY man has been charged with attempted murder following the shooting of a teenage boy in July 2018.

Gary Steele, 59, will appear at Guildford Magistrates’ Court on February 19.

A woman in her 40s was arrested and released under investigation at the time but will not face any further action.

The charge relates to an incident on July 9 in Lea Coach Road, Witley, which left the teenager with serious injuries.

Surrey Police were called to Lea Coach Road, which runs between Witley and the A3, at around 9pm on Monday, July 9, following reports a teenage boy who had been injured.

Officers attended the scene and found the teenage boy had sustained injuries, believed to be from a firearm. The boy’s injuries were serious, but not deemed to be life-threatening..

Steele was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, and a woman in her 40s from Thursley was arrested for conspiracy to murder.

On July 11, the man was released on conditional bail and the woman was released under investigation. The boy remained in hospital being treated for serious injuries.

Issuing an assurance to residents at the time, Inspector Gary Smith, of the Waverley Safer Neighbourhood Team said: “I understand that residents in Waverley must be concerned by the events of last night. We do believe this was an isolated event, and we have seized the firearm believed to be used in the incident, and there is nothing to indicate any other persons are at risk.”

Anyone with information should call Surrey Police on 101 quoting reference PR/45180073168 or use the online reporting system https://report.police.uk/

Alternatively the independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.