The family of a 13-year-old boy who died from shotgun wounds to the head are still waiting to learn the truth about their what happened to their son.

As two people appeared in court yesterday on charges relating to the death of William Buffey, detectives admitted that the full details of the tragic events remain partly unanswered.

"We feel the search for the truth has been hampered because the defendants have been slightly less than candid," said Detective Inspector Dai Malyn after the short hearing."

Anthony Knowles, 67, from Barugh Farm, Carlton Husthwaite near Thirsk, North Yorkshire, appeared before York Crown Court together with a 16-year-old youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

Both pleaded guilty to firearms charges - the youth to possessing a firearm and ammunition without a certificate and Knowles to aiding and abetting on both counts.

The youth also admitted attempting to pervert the course of justice by providing the police with false information.

Knowles denied a similar charge and his plea was accepted by the prosecution.

Knowles also pleaded guilty to not complying with the conditions of a certificate for keeping a shotgun in that it was not kept securely.

Both Knowles and the youth spoke only to answer to the charges and the case was adjourned until January 14 next year for pre-sentence reports to be prepared.

William Buffey was a popular youngster, a keen fisherman, skier and wildlife lover, who lived with his parents and sister at Angram Hall near Carlton Husthwaite.

On the afternoon of February 22 this year he was in a disused quarry about a mile from his home with a friend. They are believed to have been out shooting crows.

He died as a result of a shotgun wound to the head and a major police investigation swung into action, with Quarry Wood being sealed off and forensic experts searching the undergrowth.

His devastated father Richard later described him as a "happy, gregarious, charming and popular little boy, at ease with people of all ages." After yesterday's hearing Det Insp Malyn said the investigation into the tragedy had been a difficult and frustrating one.

"The Buffey family behaved with great dignity in the circumstances," he said. "The defendants have been less than candid about the number of firearms and the number of people present at the time.

''In this case we feel frustrated because the questions the family have been asking, we still can't answer.

"The family have been through a horrendous ordeal and continue to go through that. All they want to know is what happened and until that day comes they will remain very upset.

"These are the tragic consequences when people below the age they ought to keep guns go out shooting.''