The shooting happened on November 21, when the pair were sitting on the roof of Mr Webb’s mother’s home.

Spotting deer across the road, he climbed down and pursued them with a carbine. Miss Mayo heard him shouting and mistakenly though he was calling her.

But as she approached he fired a single round, tearing through her right knee.

When she awoke in hospital, Mr Webb was next to her, holding a crumpled not of apology. Although he faces potential criminal charges, he has since moved into the family home and is helping with her care.