A PENSIONER from Wallasey who pointed a gun at his caring neighbour after he called round concerned for his welfare, has been described as "a nutter" by a judge.

Carl Clement's neighbour, Jay Cotton, twice called round after hearing banging and the third time the pensioner came to the door with the gun, leaving him absolutely terrified.

The weapon turned out to be just a ball bearing gun, but Liverpool Crown Court heard Mr Cotton had not known that and has been left needing medication for anxiety.

The police were called after the mid-evening incident and specialist armed response officers were then deployed to Clement's home to arrest him.

Clement, 72, who pleaded guilty to possessing an imitation with intent to cause fear of violence, has now been banned from any contact with the family on the other side of the dividing wall of the semi-detached house.

Police also found antique weapons including two rifles, two pistols, a handgun and an air gun during the raid on his home but he faces no charges about those items.

Clement narrowly escaped being sent straight to jail by Judge Clement Goldstone, QC, the Recorder of Liverpool, who said that Mr Cotton and his wife, Beth, had been "very very frightened indeed" by his behaviour.

He added: "They have had to continue living with the nutter from next door who pointed a gun at them".

The judge told immaculately-dressed Clement that he accepted there had been no repetition of such behaviour since the incident on but the Cottons, who have two young children, were so sufficiently disturbed by it that he was imposing an indefinite restraining order to have no contact with them.

He also imposed an eight month jail sentence but suspended it for two years because of the "genuine remorse" he had shown and imposed a 16 week curfew with an electronic tag between 7-7am "to punish you and infringe your liberty."

Despite the defendant's age Judge Goldstone also ordered him to carry out 100 hours unpaid work "to repay the debt you owe to society for the way in which you behaved."

The judge said that Clement had appeared to be drunk when his neighbour called but he had probably just woken from a doze.

"It was absolutely terrifying.

"I just wonder how you would have felt had you gone round to your neighbours to show a little kindness and had been greeted by someone pointing what appeared to be a gun.

"You would say perhaps, rightly so, 'they deserve whatever they get'."

Chris Hopkins, prosecuting, told the court that about 9.30 pm on May 6 this year the Cottons heard banging from next door and Mr Cotton went round to see if their neighbour was okay but got no answer.

He later returned and this time Clement answered and told him to "f… off".

But later the couple again heard banging and still worried about him Mr Cotton went back and was then confronted by him pointing a gun at him and mumbling that he hated him.

When police arrived Clement said "words to the effect, 'it's the prat next door'," and when interviewed denied having hold of a gun and denied making any threats.

The court heard that Clement, of Egerton Grove, Wallasey was effectively of good character with his last conviction being 32 years ago.

John Ballam, defending, said that Clement had told him "it was ten seconds of insanity.

"He did not intend to harm his neighbour and is most remorseful."

Mr Balllam said that the divorcee had held down various jobs before his retirement.

There was a good side to him and he had acted out of characer and was sorry.