The court heard how Dalgleish thought he had shot a boy

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Walter Dalgleish, 22, admitted assaulting Lisa Mannarn, on 15 December, 2004 at Pennywell Place, in Edinburgh.

He also pled guilty to committing an offence under the Firearms Act.

Dalgleish, who laughed after thinking he had shot the boy, will be sentenced next month after reports are prepared.

He said he meant to shoot the boy as a joke but did not mean to hurt his target and added that it "wouldn't be too bad" as he had fired from a distance.

This offence predated the spate of current offences that have captured the public imagination Ronnie Renucci Defence counsel

However, he became upset and ran out of the house after three boys came to the door and announced that a woman had been hit in the neck.

Dalgleish said: "Aye that was me. I didn't know I shot her."

Lord McEwan warned Dalgleish that there was a strong possibility he would go to jail.

He said Dalgleish was a soldier "who might be expected to know how to use these things".

Defence counsel Ronnie Renucci said: "He fully appreciates the serious position he is in.

'Clear view'

"However, this offence predated the spate of current offences that have captured the public imagination."

Advocate depute John Halley said that on the afternoon of the shooting, Dalgleish, who served in the Guards until his discharge from the Army, was at the home of his girlfriend, Claire Bain.

He was with her 19-year-old brother Jamie in an upstairs room and they had the rifle, which was fitted with a telescopic sight and was described as giving "a very clear view".

Mr Halley said: "They were looking for birds to shoot."

He had been laughing at what he had done John Halley

The court heard how Bain had seen friends of a younger cousin and Dalgleish announced: "Watch this I'll give them a fright."

He then aimed the gun at the group of children.

Mr Halley said Mr Bain heard the rifle go off, firing a single shot. He grabbed the gun from Dalgleish and told him to stop.

Miss Mannarn, 20, who was standing near the youngsters, felt a sting and then a sharp pain on the side of her neck.

She was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary where the pellet was removed.

'Became upset'

Dalgleish went down to the living room of his girlfriend's house and announced that he had shot the boy in the backside.

Mr Halley said: "He had been laughing at what he had done. Miss Bain then began to shout at the accused."

The gun used in the shooting was not recovered.

The court heard that Dalgleish went to England after the incident and now lives in Darlington. He was arrested in May last year.

"It was only when he found he shot the victim in the neck that he became upset and ran out of the house," said Mr Renucci.

Lord McEwan pointed out that Dalgleish should appreciate a non-custodial disposal "might be difficult".