A WORCESTER father who fired an airgun at a group of men after a row erupted over a broken car window has been put on probation for two years.

Lee Jauncey, now having treatment for anger management, later confessed he went "off his head", Worcester Crown Court was told.

He originally denied firing a pellet but Judge Marten Coates ruled he had discharged the airgun after hearing evidence last month.

One witness Alan Sinclair told how a pellet hit a garage wall as he fled in panic. Jauncey, aged 32, admitted possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

Judge Coates said he was impressed by the defendant volunteering for treatment and did not believe he was a risk to the public.

Mr Sinclair, serving a jail sentence for commercial burglary, told how he and friends went to Brookthorpe Close, Warndon, to collect car wheels on May 27 last year.

An argument broke out between his friend Lee Kirkman and Jauncey over who had smashed a car window.

Angry Jauncey, of Chatcombe Drive, Warndon, left the scene for a short time and returned carrying the airgun in a zip-up case.

Jauncey claimed the men made threats against him, his partner Samantha Blount, and their baby, and he took the airgun out to scare them.

Nicolas Cartwright, prosecuting, said Jauncey had previous convictions for assault.

Jauncey suffered from epilepsy, which left him unable to work, said Richard Bond, defending.

He conceded he had difficulty controlling his temper and added: "That day, he simply went over the top and misread the situation."

Mr Bond said he had a 13-year relationship with Miss Blount who offered him genuine support.