A MAN who brandished a double-barrelled shotgun at three innocent men before hitting one of them with the weapon has been branded 'stupid' as he avoided a prison sentence.

Daniel Lowther armed himself after a dispute with someone during a night out in Yarm before heading out intent on 'frightening' him.

The 30-year-old 'misidentified' his target before pulling alongside the group of friends and pointing the unloaded shotgun at them, Teesside Crown Court heard.

The defendant was challenged by one of the men and he then hit him with the shotgun before leaving the scene on Worsall Road in Yarm.

Lowther, of Ramsey Crescent, Yarm, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, common assault and three breaches of his shotgun licence.

Nigel Soppitt, in mitigation, said his client was a man of good character other than receiving a police warning some years ago.

"It is mentioned in the pre-sentence report that the defendant describes himself as 'not that clever'." he said. "That was evident by his behaviour that night – it was thoughtless."

Mr Soppitt said Lowther returned home after the altercation and picked up his shotgun to 'frighten off' the perceived threat against him before confronting the 'three innocent young men' walking home after a night out in December 2018.

He added: "He didn't understand the impact it could have had on the three young men."

Judge Jonathan Carroll described Lowther's inebriated actions as 'stupid' as he passed a 19-month custodial sentence, suspended for two years.

He added the three men didn't know that your shotgun was unloaded or that you had no access to ammunition on that night.

"You have escaped a prison sentence by the skin of your teeth," he said. "Let me make it clear to you, if you come back in front of me I will activate this sentence – do you understand?"

Lowther was ordered to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work and pay compensation to his three victims.