A MAN who threatened to shoot a neighbour amid lingering bad blood was today (Monday October 21) given a one year prison sentence.

James Cafferty made the threat after earlier shouting abusively at the neighbour, who was in his garden two doors away.

Durham Crown Court heard that Cafferty and the neighbour “had history”, including a confrontation over alleged swearing that was said to have ended in blows in a pharmacy.

Sam Faulks, prosecuting, said the latest incident took place after Cafferty had been drinking for most of the day, on July 18.

The neighbour with whom he had the dispute came into his garden and Cafferty was heard to shout aggressively in his direction.

Mr Faulks said the neighbour took his dog for a long walk, but on his return Cafferty was heard to shout: “I’ve got a gun and I’ll kill you.”

The neighbour’s wife rang the police, but Cafferty came back out into his garden, holding an air rifle saying: “If you don’t f***ing believe me, here it is.”

Mr Faulks said police arrested Cafferty later that evening at an allotment.

When interviewed the following day he denied having had an air rifle during the incident.

But the 40-year-old, of Keats Road, Chilton, County Durham, admitted possessing an air rifle with intent to cause a fear of violence at a previous hearing.

Shaun Smith, mitigating, said: “On the day in question he admits what he did was an act of stupidity, but he would say there was an element of provocation on the day in question.”

Mr Smith said Cafferty borrowed the air rifle from “an acquaintance” and claimed the other man was not even in the garden when he made the threat.