A drink-fuelled man who pointed a loaded shotgun at his father’s face has been spared prison after a judge was told neither of his parents wanted him to be put behind bars.

Gareth Owen, 24, kicked the kitchen door off its hinges and pushed his dad over before terrifying him with the twin-barrel weapon, Bradford Crown Court heard yesterday.

Owen had returned to the family home in Cottingley in a bad mood after drinking in the pub on December 17 last year.

Prosecutor Paul Nicholson said he threatened to fetch his own replica shotgun but returned with his father’s legally-held real firearm.

His father called the police and when officers arrived Owen was drunk and obstructive and called himself Peter Pan, the court was told.

Owen, now of Victoria Mills, Salts Mill Road, Shipley, pleaded guilty to affray.

Mr Nicholson said Owen’s parents had been forced to call the police on previous occasions because their son’s behaviour was “horrific”.

He was on medication but sometimes refused to take it.

His father had now cancelled his firearm licence.

Mr Nicholson asked Judge John Potter to forfeit both the real and replica shotguns.

Owen told the police he was upset that night because his dog was missing.

He intended to harm himself and not to threaten anyone else.

Judge Potter commended Mr and Mrs Owen, who were in court, for standing by their son.

He said he must have provided a “challenging environment” for them.

Holding a loaded shotgun towards his father’s face was extremely dangerous as the weapon could have been discharged by accident, the court heard.

Judge Potter said Owen had since “turned a corner” and was seeking help for his alcohol problem. The judge sentenced him to 11 months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years, with supervision and 150 hours’ unpaid work. He must also comply with an alcohol treatment requirement.