Gun-toting pensioner spared jail for threats to shoot builder
07:00 - 16-May-2008
Eric Guy, 73, had been staying at flood-hit property Field House Cottage in Preston when it was undergoing repair work on January 23.
Builder Brian Thompson, 69, was working on the property for landlady Doris Dawson, 70, when Guy began complaining about the noise he was making.
To ensure he was not disturbed further Mr Thompson and Mrs Dawson went outside to the builder's car to discuss the work.
Guy then began banging on the car door pointing a shotgun at the builder demanding he get out of the car.
Prosecutor Jharna Jobes said: “Guy had become quite grumpy. He became annoyed asking who was banging doors. He told them to open the window or he would smash it.
“He became aggressive and pointed the gun at Mr Thompson.
“He was scared something was going to happen to him.”
Mrs Dawson left the car and Guy got inside and pointed the gun at the builder five times.
He told him: “Get out and when you do I'm going to shoot you.”
The builder managed to call the police and Guy went into the house.
The armed response unit arrived and it took an hour for them to get Guy to open the door and put down his weapon.
They recovered two shotguns from the house and a large amount of ammunition.
Guy, now of Queensway, Woodmansey, did have a licence for the weapons, but this has since been revoked.
The honorary recorder of Hull and the East Riding, Judge Michael Mettyear, said: “You pointed a gun at these people and you did so for no good reason. You frightened them and you were aggressive and threatening towards them.
“I accept the gun was not loaded. Having a gun licence is a heavy responsibility and you should be ashamed of what you did.”
Guy was given a six-month prison sentence suspended for two years.


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