A SPA father has spoken of his anger as his family continue to battle with the Army to get compensation for his son, who was shot in the leg by a fellow soldier.

Steve Davies, of Mosel Drive, Droitwich, has been fighting for three years, along with his ex-wife, to get compensation for his son Adam - a former soldier who was shot in the leg from 12ft by a colleague.

Adam, aged 21, was medically discharged from the Army just four weeks ago. The Army denies liability and gave Adam just £15 a week pension after the accident, which happened three years ago at Tidworth barracks, Wiltshire.

The former Bromsgrove North High School pupil, who was 18 at the time, was on guard at the barracks with private Alan Hall who didn't seem to realise his rifle was loaded when he pointed it at Adam.

Speaking to the Advertiser Adam explained: "Obviously I thought Alan was joking when he said 'do I have permission to shoot you?' so I said yes and he then pulled the trigger."

"The bullet went into my left thigh, severed an artery, broke in two and then came out the other side," said the former member of the Worcester and Sherwood Forresters.

The injured teenager spent four days in intensive care and weeks in a hospital in Salisbury while doctors fought to save his leg.

Steve said: "In my opinion the Army has failed my son. This act has ruined my son's life, outwardly at present he is not too bad but I fear for his future."

After the ordeal, Adam was given a pension of just £15 per week and a £2,400 pay-off, the Ministry of Defence refused to pay him compensation claiming the Army was not responsible.

Private Hall, who Adam says was known to be immature but was still given a loaded rifle, was court martialled, jailed and kicked out of the Army.

Adam, who now lives with his divorced mum Wendy in Kidderminster, said: "Nothing will make up for the damage that has been done. I have lost my career and my future in the Army and I will suffer from problems with my leg for the rest of my life. It's my worst nightmare."

A spokeswoman for the MoD said: "He will almost certainly get a war pension on medical grounds but the War Pension Agency could not start processing his claim until he was formerly discharged from the Army."