A GRANDMOTHER was left shaking with fear after a neighbour walked through her front door and pointed a ‘gun’ in her face, a court heard.

But Tracy Davy, fearful for her daughter Kirsty Ann and her 18-month-old grandson, marched Simon Holden out of the house, Burnley Crown Court was told.

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Holden, 29, held the ‘gun’ just two feet from her face during the terrifying confrontation, which followed an extended campaign of intimidation, the court heard.

Prosecutor Mark Stephenson said it was only when Holden’s girlfriend saw what was going on, and pulled him away, did the weapon fall to the floor and smash, allowing the victim to realise it was an imitation.

Holden, formerly of Hawley Street, Colne, but now of Wesley Street, Brierfield, admitted to possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

Jailing him for two years, Recorder Michael Blakey said: “Tracy Davy says that she froze, in the belief that she could be shot, and one can understand that reasoning.”

Mr Recorder Blakey also imposed a five-year restraining order, barring him from any future contact with the Davy family.

Mr Stephenson said Kirsty Ann Davy had been to the shops with her young son and became aware Holden was following her.

She asked him to stop but he just laughed and replied: “You wish.”

Returning home, she told her mother what had happened and went outside for a cigarette.

The grandmother then became aware of a ‘presence’ in the house and saw Holden, who had walked in uninvited, pointing what appeared to be a real gun at her.

Once the confrontation was over and the police had been called, Holden turned around and said: “I am sorry, I know I’ve done wrong, I shouldn’t have gone out there. You might as well arrest me now.”

The court heard Holden had a lengthy criminal record, for offences including racially aggravated threatening behaviour, harassment and burglary. His last conviction was for attacking his girlfriend’s mother in the Devon area.

Sarah Maxwell, defending, said that the offence had been committed against a backdrop of problems between the two families, though he admitted his behaviour was entirely unacceptable.

She said: “The defendant has a history of depression and anxiety and he does not deal well with pressure and does not deal well with perceived animosity from others.”

The defendant’s criminal conduct had mainly been motivated by drink but he had never received any professional intervention to assist him with his problems, she added.