A MAN who terrified his neighbours with a fake gun after a long-running dispute has been jailed for 18 months.

Andrew Tully drank seven pints of beer before taking the gas-charged weapon from a cupboard.

He knocked on the neighbour's door, brandished the rifle at David Stokes in the hall and then marched into the lounge where he frightened a group of people, Worcester Crown Court heard.

When he realised there was a two-month old baby asleep in the flat, it brought home the seriousness of his behaviour, said Julie Sparrow, defending.

Tully, aged 24, admitted possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

Judge John Cavell said: "Because of a perceived problem over noise you deliberately armed yourself.

"The victims must have been terrified.

"They weren't to know that the rifle couldn't be fired."

An argument broke out at the neighbour's home when Tully first knocked on Thursday, September 20, this year, said Gary Bell, prosecuting.

Tully, of Lyttelton Avenue, Bromsgrove, then left and fetched the gun. He walked in with a smirk and pointed the gun at Mr Stokes and his friends before leaving.

Police arrested him soon afterwards.

Mr Bell said Tully had been involved in a long dispute over noise and had argued with his girlfriend before confronting the neighbours.

He told police he was subjected to taunts and lost his temper after being disturbed by loud noises coming from next door.

He confessed he went in with the gun and ordered everyone to be quiet.

The gun was to ensure they listened to him.

Miss Sparrow said he was taking tablets for depression at the time but had improved significantly since.

An alcohol problem was also under control after counselling sessions.

She added that Tully had a real understanding of the fear he had caused but the gun was not dangerous because its barrel was blocked.