A DRUNKEN teenager who fired a stungun at his girlfriend, the mother of his new baby, as she lay in bed, has won his freedom.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Elliott McMenemy's victim Alice Porter dived under the duvet. She heard a noise and her friend, who was also in the room, saw an electrical spark. Neither were hurt.

McMenemy had climbed into Ms Porter's home because she wouldn't let him in.

He had earlier told their babysitter, ‘I'm feeling like killing somebody’, but said the only thing holding him back was the baby.

McMenemy, who had been on remand in custody, was freed after he was given 12 months in detention, suspended for two years, with 12 months' supervision and alcohol and safer relationship programmes.

The defendant, of Coal Clough Lane, Burnley, admitted possessing a prohibited weapon and common assault, on January 25.

David Macro, prosecuting, said the defendant and victim, who had been together a year, had been out in Burnley and McMenemy had been arrested and spent the night in the cells.

Miss Porter, 18, returned home with her friend in the early hours. The defendant had a key, she didn't want him getting in and propped a mop up behind the door. McMenemy called and knocked a couple of times of the door, before going away. He then texted the 17-year-old babysitter, who was looking after the infant at her house, and told her he was going to go down to the victim's house with a stun gun.

He went round at 1.50pm, shouted to be let in, wasn't, and then climbed in and went into Ms Porter's bedroom.

He told her, ‘you're not being mouthy now’, pulled the taser out and pointed it at her. She dived under the duvet. She heard a noise and her friend saw a spark. He then left.

Mark Friend, defending, said McMenemy showed genuine remorse and contrition. He had spent a little over two months in custody.

Judge Beverley Lunt said: "Why would anybody behave like this towards a partner and the mother of his child? Its very worrying and dangerous behaviour."

Judge Lunt added she was suspending the sentence because of the defendant's age and his lack of previous convictions, but warned him: "You will get this chance. Its the only chance."