A MAN who carried out a drive-by style shooting on a vehicle parked outside his former girlfriend's address has been given a two-and-a-half year prison sentence.

Samuel Watson had been convicted by a jury over the shooting incident and also a previous incident where he was said to have held a firearm to the head of the same woman.

The 21-year-old of Wycoller Avenue, Burnley, had denied charges of possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, possessing a firearm at the time of committing an alleged offence, damage and making a threat to kill.

Preston Crown Court had heard how he had had a turbulent relationship with Marie Ferguson. In May this year he was said to have put a gun to her head during an argument.

On another date, she was ironing at her family's address in Carlton Road, Burnley, when she heard the screech of car wheels.

She spoke of having looked out to see Watson driving a vehicle. She said he then pointed a gun at her father's four wheel drive Mitsubishi and fired a shotgun cartridge.

He denied the gun threat and also having any involvement in the drive-by shooting.

He spoke of having slept with Marie Ferguson and having sex with her at night, before telling her the following morning that the relationship was over.

Watson said that on the evening of the shooting he had been at a relative's address, having gone there in the afternoon.