A ROOFER who shot two men with an air pistol after an altercation over a traffic cone, walked free from court.

Roderick Bowyer, 61, who had been working on a cherry picker surrounded by cones, fired the gun at Michael Fairless and Craig Hopkinson, hitting them in the chest, after Mr Fairless knocked a cone over as he parked.

Mr Fairless, 52, had to have a pellet removed at hospital, Burnley Crown Court heard.

The hearing was told Bowyer had had the pistol in his car and claimed he used it for vermin.

He was tackled by the victims and in the scuffle, Mr Fairless was said to have had the gun put against his neck and the trigger pulled, although no pellets were discharged.

Bowyer was eventually disarmed by the two men, after the trouble on July 12.

The defendant, of Pendlemist View, Colne, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm and two counts of possessing an imitation firearm.

He was given nine months in jail, suspended for two years, with 12 months supervision and must pay £350 costs.