A GENERALLY "good citizen" became exasperated at the activities of youths outside his home and made a threatening motion with what appeared to be a firearm, a court heard.

One of two teenagers using scooters near the property, in Newton Aycliffe, rang police to report the weapon, like a “sniper rifle”, being pointed in their direction.

But, Durham Crown Court heard that another call was made by the then wife of Mark Desmond Shalliker, to report youths “flying round” near vehicles parked outside, in Pease Way.

Ros Scott Bell, prosecuting, said when officers attended the youths repeated their claims, saying they feared they were going to be shot, while Shalliker told police he made the motion with his walking stick.

One of the youths was issued with an anti-social behaviour order warning notice, but more than a fortnight later Shalliker was arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm.

Miss Scott Bell said the house was searched and “items of concern” were seized, including what was thought to be a weapon, found dismantled in two parts in a garden shed.

On examination it was confirmed it was an imitation .22 calibre air rifle, not capable of firing anything powerful enough to require a firearms licence.

Shalliker admitted having air weapons, but still maintained his story of pointing a walking stick at the youths.

He admitted a charge of possessing a firearm with intent to cause a fear of violence.

His barrister, Mark Styles, said 49-year-old Shalliker, who had acted as a Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator, “snapped” in the face of anti-social behaviour, but added that no weapon was ever discharged.

The judge imposed a ten-month prison sentence, suspended for two years. He also ordered confiscation and destruction of the seized air rifle and its ammunition.