A MAN with a history of violence and a record of more than 100 crimes has walked free from court - for the second time in six months.

Stuart Lawson pulled a pistol from his pocket and shoved it in the face of another man during a disagreement in a Darlington pub.

His barrister said the 30-year-old - in his puzzled thinking - thought it was the most peaceful way to resolve the dispute in March.

The drama, which left other drinkers terrified they would be shot, was just two months after he dodged jail for choking his mother.

At Teesside Crown Court today (Tuesday, July 21), Lawson got a second suspended 12-month prison sentence - but warned he would not get a third.

A judge said he was not locking him up because the progress he has made with mental health problems since January would be stalled.

Kieran Rainey, mitigating, told the court: "This is a young man who dealt with that situation entirely inappropriately that night.

"But for him and his understanding of the situation, this was the least violent way to deal with what he saw as a perceived threat.

"He has repeatedly been in trouble for using his fists. He felt he had a tool to resolve the situation without resorting to violence."

The court heard how when the victim - who was with a woman - used a hand gesture to usher away Lawson, he saw it as threatening.

The man said in an impact statement: "I still can't believe it. My greatest fear is that the next person might not be so lucky."

His companion said: "I was petrified. I was frightened he was going to shoot him, and feared for my own safety, and that of the public."

Prosecutor Emma Atkinson told Judge Neil Davey, QC, that the gun was a gas-charged pistol capable of firing metal ball-bearings.

At the scene, in a doorway at The Hoskins in Blackwellgate, Lawson also mentioned an AK47 rifle, but he denied threatening to shoot.

Judge Davey read a letter from Lawson's mother and a seven-page note he had written while on remand in prison for the last four months.

He said the things which saved him from going back inside were his mum's support, and his willingness to work with probation chiefs.

"It may be that some people think I am taking a risk with you that's unjustified - they may be right," said Judge Davey.

"But I think I would be taking much more of a risk if I was simply to do the obvious thing and send you back to prison today.

"That would leave your progress halted, it would leave your problems untouched, and untouched, and just kick the can down the road."

He added: "It's up to you now. The choice is yours. You have a choice whether to come back to court and get sent to prison on not."

Lawson, of Skinnergate, Darlington, admitted possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence on March 29.