The mother of a 14-year-old boy who lost the sight in one eye after he was shot with a pellet gun says they have been "abandoned" by police.

Rhys Thomas, of Tarragon Drive, Greater Leys, Oxford, spent two weeks in hospital after a ballbearing was lodged in his eye in September.

His mother, Carol Williams, has complained to the Professional Standards Department over the police handling of the case.

She said that since the shooting, her son has been offered no victim support, had received only one visit from a police officer and was provided with no police liaison officers.

Mrs Williams also said she was forced to retrieve ballistic information from police for doctors herself in a bid to save Rhys's sight, and to take photos of the injuries while the investigating officer was on holiday.

She said it was three weeks before Rhys was asked to make a statement and the family had to contact police to make their own statements more than a week after the shooting.

She added: "It has been an absolute nightmare. Every day is difficult. He is just so angry and finds it hard to deal with. He feels let down by the police.

"He's not the same boy - he's not my Rhys any more. He's not horrible but his confidence has gone and he's angry.

"If it wasn't for my friends, I wouldn't have anyone on my side.

"I don't know why I have to phone the police to ask them to take my statement. I haven't had any support. From day one, we've been abandoned."

The Peers schoolboy said he was playing with friends outside his home when he saw a red laser, and was then was shot.

He ran bleeding inside his home and was taken to hospital, but despite a two-hour operation, doctors could not save the sight in his right eye.

He now wears an eye patch and suffers migraines, mood swings, is too afraid to live at his family home and is undergoing counselling.

Rhys said: "I'm angry because we always have to get the police to come and take statements or to find out what is happening. I find it hard to live round here.

"When I was in hospital, I was annoyed because I wanted to be out on my feet, not in bed."

The complaint is being investigated by Oxford police commander, Supt Jim Trotman.

A police spokesman said: "We have received a complaint and are thoroughly investigating it. It would be inappropriate to comment further."

Blackbird Leys city councillor Jane Lacey said she could not understand why the police were not supporting the family.

A 33-year-old man arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm has been bailed until November 27.