AN officer fired an air rifle into the back of the head of an Army cadet without checking it was loaded, jurors heard.

Although the weapon was not loaded, the cadet, aged 17, believed he had been shot and rolled around the floor screaming as Sergeant Major Instructor Philip Davis, pictured, told him: "That's what terrorism does."

Southampton Crown Court heard how No.1 Troop, Blackfield, were holding a Christmas party - attended by 30 people including cadets, parents and staff - at their base at the Queen Elizabeth Recreation Ground.

The cadet said he was going for a cigarette when Davis came in from the stores with an air rifle.

The teenager described it being pointing in his direction and he ran to a toilet where he locked a cubicle door."

The teenager said the toilet door was forced open and he saw Davis standing by it. He tried to get away but Davis grabbed him by the back of his neck and wrestled him to the floor.

"I was on my knees. He put the air rifle to the back of my head. I tried to swing it away with my right hand.

"He pulled the trigger. I could hear it. I could feel the air pressure on the back of my head and started crying. I was rolling around on the floor thinking I had been shot. He said: That's what terrorism does.' It took me half an hour to stop shaking and crying."

Under cross-examination, the teenager admitted he did not report the matter to his new staff sergeant that night. "I didn't think anything of it at the time. It was only after I told my mum," he said.

The cadet denied being an attention seeker or a troublemaker but admitted he had twice been demoted. Another cadet told jurors how Davis pointed the gun for about five minutes at the toilet door before forcing it open with his feet and dragging the teenager out.

"Shaun fell to the floor and curled up in the foetus position," the 17-year-old told the court. "Davis put the gun two inches away from the back of his head. I heard a pop and he (the cadet) was rolling around screaming I've been shot.'"

Prosecutor Simon Foster said: "Others outside heard the sound of the gun being fired and they are unanimous Davis did not check the weapon was empty before it was fired. That is basic training."

Davis, 50, of Rosebury Avenue, Hythe, denies using an imitation firearm, a .177 air rifle, with intent to cause fear of violence, possessing a baton, and assault.

The assault charge relates to an allegation that Davis threw a baton at a second cadet that hit him on the legs and caused him to fall.

Proceeding.