Dude shoots his girlfriend, then he married her

A drunk man shot his girfriend twice - and then married her seven months later. A court heard yesterday how Robert Silvestro, 43, pulled out an air pistol and fired two pellets into Lesley Stevenson's head and chest.

The couple had just returned home from a family New Year's Day party. Prosecutor Mhari Boyle told Airdrie Sheriff Court: "They arrived home in the early hours of the morning and had an argument. She went to bed and he stayed in the living room.

"She got up and went to the kitchen. Then he appeared, pointing a gun at her. She said to him, 'Just shoot me.' And then she felt a pain in her head and chest.

"He had shot her twice. Police found the gun on arrival and a load of pellets."

Silvestro, a sales representative, of Kiltarie Crescent, Airdrie, pleaded guilty to discharging a pistol loaded with pellets recklessly in the direction of Lesley Stevenson, 38, at the home they shared.

Brian Mohan, defending, said: "She is now his wife, the couple being married in July this year. The whole matter of the shooting has shocked everyone. Silvestro was ordered to carry out the maximum of 300 hours' community service. Article here.