A MAN who waved a gun about in the family home in front of his 14-year-old daughter, has been spared jail.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Ian Cryer's family was not worried about its own safety, knowing him as they did, but feared what might happen when police turend up.

Cryer, heavily drunk at the time, had rowed with his father and had possession of the gun, which his father thought was deactivated. There was no ammunition in it.

Recorder Maurice Greene told the defendant: "It's right to say that the police wouldn't necessarily have known what they were facing."

He added the defendant had previous convictions, but nothing for similar offences and he could treat the incident as out of character for him.

The defendant, 42, of Sackville Street, Nelson, admitted possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

He was given 12 months in prison, suspended for two years, with two years supervision.

Dennis Watson, defending, said Cryer was "something of an odd ball, and had fallen foul of drink."