A MAN who turned up at the home of his former partner armed with an air rifle has been warned he faces a "substantial" prison sentence.

Anthony Quinn was said to have been waving the .22 firearm about and saying something like "He's gonna get it," referring to the woman's ex-husband.

A court heard Quinn had gone to the address on Downham Drive, Accrington, in May following a minor incident there the same night.

Quinn, 43, who had been living at Belfield Road, Accrington, denied possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of unlawful violence, but was found guilty by a jury at Preston Crown Court.

Mark Lamberty, prosecuting, said Quinn had had a relationship with Alison Riley, the former wife of Steven Riley.

When he went to her home on May 20, Mr Riley was there. Quinn appeared to have been affected by drink. He was there for about 40 minutes and Mr Riley was anxious to get rid of him.

Some sort of minor incident occured and the defendant left. At around 12.50am Alison and Steven Riley were at the house when Quinn was heard to kick the side door. She told Mr Riley it would be better if he left and he did.

Quinn was angry and had a long-barrelled air rifle with him.

Mr Lamberty told the court: "The Crown's case is that he was waving it about and said something like 'He's gonna get it', a threat directed towards Steven Riley. "The defendant went on to cock the gun, and according to Mrs Riley's observation, took something from his pocket and put it into the weapon.

"He pointed the gun towards the side gate of the house. He didn't point at her. There was a further threat towards Mr Riley."

Quinn told the jury he had bought the air rifle for someone else, from a sports shop and it had cost him 30 pounds.

He said he had been out rabbiting with others and had "got lumbered with the rifle". He told the court: "I put it in the bushes near the back of Alison Riley's house." Quinn's barrister, Mr Bob Sastry, asked him if he had walked around with the gun, saying "Where is he?" and "He's gonna get it".

Quinn replied: "No, I'm absolutely sure".

Quinn was remanded in custody for reports and will be sentenced on December 17.

Judge Andrew Blake told him: "It will be a prison sentence, and a substantial prison sentence."