A DRUNKEN father-of-two who took the law into his own hands and threatened a neighbour with a gun has walked free from court.

Charity volunteer Alan Greer, 40, had invited the man, formerly a friend, to his house because there was said to be a thief in the area.

He then locked the doors, held him captive and subjected him to a terrifying ordeal in which the victim, in his 20s, was also assaulted with a pellet weapon.

Greer, of Beaconsfield Street, Great Harwood, admitted possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, common assault and possessing cannabis resin with intent to supply, in April.

Greer, said to be a proud man and one of high standing in his community, was given a 12 month jail term, suspended for two years.

Sentencing, Judge Barbara Watson told the defendant that whatever the victim may or may not have done in terms of pinching money from other people, he certainly did not deserve what happened.

The judge said Greer had put his freedom, livelihood and the lifestyle of his family in jeopardy and had dragged them though the criminal process.

Judge Watson said Greer had made a serious lack of judgement, behaved in a serious criminal way, and in his wife's words, he should feel ashamed of himself as he had let his children down.