Cole in clear over gun episode

Cole in clear over gun episode

Published Mar. 10, 2011 12:35 p.m. ET

Chelsea full-back Ashley Cole will escape prosecution for shooting a work placement student with an air gun at the club's training ground.

Police sources said officers were "highly unlikely" to pursue investigations any further after contacting the Premier League club.

Tom Cowan, 21, was accidentally hit by a pellet from a .22 air gun brought into the training ground by Cole on February 20.

But the sports science student has no plans to press charges against the England international defender.

ADVERTISEMENT

The decision comes after Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti angrily hit out at calls for Cole, 30, to be disciplined, adding: "What do we have to do now - kill him?"

Surrey Police received no formal complaints despite Cole breaking club rules which ban weapons from Chelsea's training ground.

Mr Cowan, who is on a one-year work placement at Chelsea, was hit in the side by a lead pellet at the training ground in Cobham.

Chelsea's medical staff reportedly treated the bleeding wound and Mr Cowan did not require hospital treatment.

The club vowed to take "appropriate action".

share