A COUPLE were allegedly threatened with a gun by their next door neighbour when they went outside to tend to their pregnant guinea pig, a jury was told.

Burnley Crown Court heard Stephen Marsden told David Shailes and his trembling wife, Sheila ,they had five seconds to get back inside.

Marsden, who was said to have dubbed Mr Shailes 'fat and nosy' pointed the gun, which later turned out to be an air pistol, at the couple as they crouched by the animal's hutch.

An armed response unit was called and meanwhile Marsden fired the rifle in the presence of a policemen.

As crackshot officers formed a nearby "rendezvous," the defendant went to his mother's home in the same street and came outside for a cigarette.

He urged police to shoot him, was said to have aimed the weapon at a police dog which grounded him and ended up being gassed by CS.

Marsden, of Malvern Avenue, Padiham, denies possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and making use of a firearm with intent to resist arrest, last March.

Mr Shailes told the court he had lived at Malvern Avenue for a couple of weeks before the alleged offences and had had no problem with Marsden.

About 10.45pm, he and his wife went outside. Marsden was there and the boot of his vehicle was open.

Questioned by Rachel Woods, prosecuting, Mr Shailes said Marsden had his back to the them, but then turned round, pointed the gun, was abusive and called him fat.

Mr Shailes claimed the defendant was about 18ft away and told him and his wife they had five seconds to get in. Mr Shailes said his wife told Marsden she was only getting the guinea pig and Mr Shailes told his wife they should go inside.

Mrs Shailes, he said, was getting a bit nervous and he got her into their house. Police were then alerted.

Cross-examined by Richard Hunt, defending, Mr Shailes he was not that worried by what was going on, but his wife was trembling.

PC Mark Driver told the court he and a colleague went on foot to a ginnel near Malvern Avenue and within a few minutes, the defendant approached carrying an air rifle.

He raised it to waist level and fired it.

The officer said the Armed Response Unit had been called in and Marsden urged officers :"Go on shoot me. Shoot me. You know you want to."

(Proceeding)