A LEGAL executive who brandished an imitation firearm at an East Lancashire pub landlady has walked free from court after a recorder ruled the defendant had been suffering from severe stress.

Mother-of-three Karen Balding, 45, left Karen Shawcross and staff outside the Holden Arms “frozen with fear” after waving the fake gun around outside the Grane Road hostelry, Burnley Crown Court was told.

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Prosecutor Stephen Parker said Balding’s boyfriend Lee Barrett had been in a business relationship with Roy Pickavance, who was Ms Shawcross’ partner, but this had ended in animosity.

On February 23, Ms Shawcross and Mr Pickavance were in the Woolpack pub in Haslingden, along with Balding and Mr Barrett, and there was “an atmosphere”.

Balding and Mr Barrett returned home but he was angry and said he was going to the Holden Arms to talk with the publicans.

Balding insisted it was not a good idea and retrieved a baseball bat and air pistol from her partner.

Mr Parker said Balding put the baseball bat in the boot of her car and, for reasons she could later not explain, slipped the air pistol into her pocket, before driving to the pub to head off Mr Barrett, who was on foot.

CCTV footage showed Balding talking to Mr Pickavance. Shortly afterwards Ms Shawcross attempted to join the conversation but was restrained by her staff in the doorway.

Mr Parker said when the landlady made it outside, Balding responded by pulling the air pistol out of her jacket and pointing it at her. The court heard the publican and fellow staff were frozen with fear and left shocked.

Balding, of Mercer Crescent, Haslingden, drove away but was arrested by police a short time later.

She admitted possession of an imitation firearm, namely a Webley air pistol, with intent to make Karen Shawcross believe violence would be used against her, and was given a three-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, with £200 court costs.

Mark Friend, defending, said: “She realises that she has thrown away her good character after many years of responsible behaviour. She is a lady who is held in the highest regard by those she works with, both professionally and personally.”

Recorder Peter Atherton said that the incident was an aberration for Balding, after a crescendo of stress had overwhelmed her and caused her to act out of character.