A man has appeared in court charged with the unlawful killing of an eight-year-old boy in Cumbria.

Jay Cartmell was seriously injured after a firearm was discharged on land near Warcop in Cumbria in September 2024.

An air ambulance took Jay, from Frizington, to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, but he was declared dead later the same day.

Allan Thursby, 64, of Dent Place, Cleator Moor, was charged with gross negligence manslaughter at Carlisle Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

Thursby, who entered no plea, will next appear at Carlisle Crown Court next month.

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He was granted bail by district judge Philip Holden, provided he does not approach or contact Jay’s parents.

Speaking after his death, parents Leigha and James Cartmell said they were “heartbroken” at the loss of Jay, who they described as “loving, kind and full of mischief”.

In a statement issued through Cumbria Police, they said Jay enjoyed fishing and rabbiting with his father and helped take care of the family pets, including four lurchers, five ferrets and his bearded dragon, named Spike.