A TEENAGER shot in the head while riding on the back of a moped has vowed to fight for his recovery – despite fragments of pellet still being lodged in his brain.

Kyle Johnson, 15, was critically injured last October in Sunderland by Steven Thompson, who was angered by the noise of the bike.

The 39-year-old was jailed for 11 years and ten months at Newcastle Crown Court on Thursday after admitting grievous bodily harm, firearms charges and perverting the course of justice.

A court order made to prevent the media from identifying Kyle has now been lifted by the judge, Northumbria Police said.

Kyle was taken into intensive care and scans showed the air gun pellet had penetrated 10cm into his brain, and surgeons were unable to remove all of it.

He survived but suffered life-changing injuries, and is now battling to be able to do the things the outdoors-loving teenager used to take for granted.

Kyle said: "I have the fight and determination to make my life better, and I will.

"He won't make me feel like this forever.

"I just want to get back to being my old self.

"I will get there one day.

"I wish to also thank all of the doctors and nursing staff who have enabled me to get to this point in my life."

His mother Lindsy said: "Kyle and all of our family now have to deal with the aftermath of this situation. I am dealing with the reality that our lives will never be the same again. It is truly heart-breaking to see a once active young boy fighting to get his body and mind back to what it once was."

Detective Inspector Ed Small said Kyle was lucky to survive the high-powered rifle blast.

He said: "No 15-year-old should have their freedom or dignity taken away from them in this way."