THE mother of a 14-year-old boy who lost the sight in an eye after he was shot with a pellet gun says the family was "abandoned" by police.

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

His mother, Carol Williams, has lodged a formal complaint with the police Professional Standards Department over how the case has been handled.

She told The Oxford Times since the shooting her son had been offered no victim support, 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 take photographs of the injuries while the investigating officer was on holiday.

She added it was three weeks until he was asked to make a statement and the family had to contact police to make their own more than a week after the shooting. Police are carrying out an investigation into the complaint.

His mother 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.

"Our corner is not being fought. From day one we've been abandoned."

The Peers pupil said he was playing with 11 friends outside his home when he saw a red laser in his eye, then was shot.

He ran bleeding inside his home and was taken to hospital.

Despite a two-hour operation, doctors were not able to save the sight in his right eye.

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

The complaint is being investigated by Oxford area commander Jim Trotman.

A police spokesman said: "We have received a complaint and are thoroughly investigating it.

"It would be inappropriate to comment further while the complaint is being investigated."

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