A 35-YEAR-OLD man who fired an air rifle after an Armed Response Unit was called in, has been jailed for 18 months.

Stephen Marsden was found guilty of making use of a firearm with intent to resist arrest after a two-day trial at Burnley Crown Court.

The defendant, then living at Malvern Avenue, Padiham, was cleared of possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence. He denied both charges.

The court heard claims the defendant had threatened next-door neighbours David and Sheila Shalies with the rifle when they went outside to tend to their pregnant guinea pig, last March. Marsden, said to have called Mr Shailes fat and nosy, was alleged to have told the couple they had five seconds to get back inside and pointed the gun at them.

The Armed Response Unit was called and Marsden raised the the air pistol to waist level and fired it in the presence of a policeman.

The defendant urged officers, who had formed a rendezvous nearby to shoot him, was said to have aimed the weapon at a police dog and had to be CS gassed.

Giving evidence, Marsden told the jury he had been drinking, had argued with his girlfriend and had wanted police to shoot him. The next morning, he was glad they hadn't.