Boy, 8, shot dead on farm ‘dreamed of meeting Lionel Messi’

The heartbroken parents of an eight-year-old child who was fatally shot on a farm have paid tribute to their ‘perfect little boy.’

Jay Cartmell died in hospital after the incident which happened on a section of farmland in Warcop, Cumbria, last Saturday afternoon.

A man in his 60s was arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter, who has since been released on bail.

The tragedy happened at the farm which lies right next to the busy A66 and a short distance to Warcop village, which was decribed as ‘very, very rural’ has a population of just under 500.

Paying tribute to their son today, Jay’s parents, Leigha and James Cartmell, said: ‘We are heartbroken at the passing of our perfect little boy.

‘He was loving, kind and full of mischief, the best boy that anyone could wish for and the third corner of our beautiful family “triangle.”

‘Jay loved being outdoors, the muddier he could get the better and was starting to follow in the footsteps of his dad with his obsession for speedway at Workington, where he first attended aged 1 year.

‘He always went to the pit to fist bump his heroes, local racers Harry and Sam McGurk.

‘Jay was a talented rider himself and was showing real promise for the sport.

‘Jay was a defender at Whitehaven Miners Football Club. He would occasionally score a goal, albeit an own goal, but that didn’t dampen his enthusiasm.

‘His favourite player was Erling Haaland and he had a dream to move to Brazil and to meet Lionel Messi.

‘Jay enjoyed fishing and rabbiting with his dad and helped care for the family pets – 4 lurchers, 5 ferrets and his own bearded dragon Spike which he received following a school achievement.

‘He loved school and had a talent for maths.

‘Jay was extremely loved, not only by us, but by all who met him. He had fantastic friends and always had a smile on his face.

‘We will miss him every day, but his love surrounds us and his memory will never fade.’

Mr and Mrs Cartmell also thanked the emergency services and doctors who helped care for their son.

The couple also expressed their gratitude to a number of locals including Jay’s football team for making donations.

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