A man who began smoking cannabis at the age of 10 entered the mother of his child’s house with an air rifle and pointed it in her son’s face, a court has heard.

Jordan Gray had been in a very brief relationship with the woman when she fell pregnant with his child, Preston Crown Court heard.

Three months into the pregnancy the couple separated and on June 17, 2022, the woman had one of her own children and Gray’s child taken into the care of social services.

Stephen Parker, prosecuting, said that five days later, at around 10.40pm on June 22, after finding out his child had been taken into care, Gray went round to the property, in Colne, with an air rifle.

In a one-minute window he left his car, entered the house, pointed the air rifle in the face of his ex-partner’s adult son, and made his way upstairs demanding to know where his child was.

Mr Parker said: “The adult son of his ex-partner was downstairs in the property and at 10.40pm the defendant walked in carrying an air rifle.

“The son said he was holding the gun as if he was going to shoot it, aiming it at his face, shouting.

“He said the defendant appeared drunk, or on drugs as he had massive pupils.”

The court was told Gray then tried to hit the boy, but he managed to move out of the way and left the house.

Gray, 27, then went upstairs and confronted his ex-partner in the bedroom, still holding the air rifle, and making reference to his child.

Mr Parker said the woman managed to usher him back downstairs, into the street and back into his car while shouting for her neighbours.

He said: “The exact duration was only a minute in total.

“He got back into the car he arrived in and drove off. The woman was left feeling very scared and overwhelmed.

“The defendant was arrested the following day after police found him sleeping in a car in Barnoldswick.

“He has three previous convictions.”

Gray, of York Street, Barnoldswick, pleaded guilty to affray and possession of an air weapon in a public place.

In mitigation, Mark Stuart said his client had had a difficult upbringing and began smoking cannabis at the age of 10, and had taken drink and drugs on too many occasions.

He said he was willing to work with the probation service and knew he had behaved badly on that day.

Recorder Matthew Boyle said: “The circumstances are really unattractive, and it must have been an extremely frightening experience for her.

“By the skin of your teeth you are getting a chance, but it’s the last chance you will get.”

Gray was sentenced to six months in prison suspended for 18 months, told to complete 40 hours of unpaid work and 20 rehabilitation activity days.