Boy, 13, hit in drive-by shooting

A boy of 13 remained seriously ill in hospital today after he was hit in a drive-by shooting near his home.

Craig Claridge was standing in the street when a car pulled up and a gunman opened fire. He staggered a few steps before collapsing in a pool of blood.

Passers-by dialled 999 and he was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, where a spokesman said he was in a "stable" condition.

Two men in their twenties were arrested shortly after the shooting in Didcot and taken to an Oxfordshire police station for questioning.

The spot where Craig was attacked - near houses and a Co-op supermarket - was cordoned off today. His parents, David and Deborah Claridge, were too distressed to speak about the incident.

One Didcot resident, who did not want to be named, said: "It seems he was just standing there. This car drove up and someone shot him. We're all stunned. You don't expect a drive-by shooting to happen on your doorstep, let alone for a young lad to be involved."

A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said the motive for the attack, which happened at about 10.30pm last night, was not yet clear.