A 40-year-old Shropshire man has been jailed for a year after threatening to shoot party-goers at a neighbour’s house with an air rifle.

Mark Gill, of Tasley Close, Bridgnorth, who is known as “Skippy”, had been “bingeing” on alcohol since the morning of July 24 last year to celebrate his birthday when he became embroiled in an argument with one of his neighbours, Shrewsbury Crown Court heard yesterday.

Mr Andrew Barley, prosecuting, said: “There was a family party taking place, a number of people were outside socialising.

“Gill appeared over the garden fence at several times during the evening and at one point had a conversation where he threatened to “burn out” a car he thought was parked incorrectly outside.

“He then appeared on the drive way with a rifle, was seen to hold it in the air and said: ‘I’ll shoot you’.”

The court heard panicked party-goers ran for cover and the police, who were based at a station just 400m away from where the incident took place, were called to the address.

“An air rifle was seized from the address where he had been living as a lodger,” added Mr Barley.

“He admitted he was in possession of the rifle but denied he used it to threaten at the party. The weapon belonged to his landlord.”

Gill, who was charged with possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, was convicted in his absence after failing to attend a trial in January at Shrewsbury Crown Court. He had denied the charge.

Mr Simon Warlock, for Gill, said: “It was his 40th birthday, he was on a binge, started drinking in the morning and has no recollection of what happened.

“What he does recall is that there was some problem with a neighbour which was the cause of some ill feeling. He is upset to find he caused people offence and doubly upset to think he may have frightened them.”

Jailing Gill for 12 months, Judge Peter Barrie said: “I’m glad you have come to understand how frightening it must have been for you neighbours, for someone arguing over the fence and being very drunk, waving a gun in the air.”

By Paul Mannion