A SHOOTING "lark" by a pair of brothers turned nasty when a nightclub bouncer was hit in the back as he prepared for work, a court heard.

Magistrates at Harrogate were told yesterday how Oliver Lickley, 18, and his brother Jason John Lickley, 20, were firing ball bearing guns from a window at the latter's flat in Mount Parade, Harrogate, on the night of June 1.

They were aiming at road signs, but police began to get reports of passers-by being fired on.

Officers found Anthony Brown had been shot twice as he got out of his car to go to work.

Oliver Lickley, of Clover Way, Harrogate, admitted discharging a firearm within 50ft of the centre of a road.

His brother admitted a similar offence and also pleaded guilty to assaulting Mr Brown.

Both brothers had admitted firing guns at street signs and Jason told officers he had been the one to "aim at a man".

Mark Haigh, prosecuting, said police had seized a number of weapons from the flat, including six ball bearing guns, two air pistols and a blank-firing pistol, along with ammunition and a number of knives.

In mitigation, David Cam-idge said Jason Lickley collected weapons and had been given some of the seized guns a few years ago when his grandfather died. He wanted to retain those guns for sentimental reasons, the court was told.

Mr Camidge said the two men had begun firing for a lark and Jason was totally at a loss to explain why he turned his attention from the signs to Mr Brown.

Court chairman Janet Frankland fined Oliver Lickley £150 with £50 costs.

His brother was fined a total of £250 with £50 costs and was also ordered to pay £50 compensation to Mr Brown.

A forfeiture order was made for the two guns which were discharged, along with ammunition.