A father-of-four who blasted a shotgun at a BMW X5 that had brought up to six armed men to attack his Bradford home has been spared an immediate jail sentence.

Douglas Price fired the weapon into the rear of the empty car after its driver had repeatedly rammed a caravan with his one-year-old granddaughter inside it, Bradford Crown Court heard today.

Judge Jonathan Gibson accepted that Price’s family was ‘under serious attack’ at their home at Valley Farm in Low Lane, Clayton, shortly before 11pm on February 21.

Prosecutor David McGonigal said that Price’s son-in-law and his little girl were living in the caravan in the yard at the farm.

Late that night, the car bought in Leeds and on false plates was driven to the property with up to six people on board with balaclavas and a machete.

Rocks were thrown to damage two trucks and then the BMW was used to twice deliberately ram the caravan with the child in it. It was shoved along and considerable damage was caused.

The car then moved forward but it was so badly damaged that it came to a stop just outside the gates. The occupants fled towards the main road.

Price, 38, then discharged a single round of the shotgun into the back of the car, damaging the headrests. He walked around the empty vehicle and went back to the house.

The police then arrived and recovered the weapon and ammunition from an outhouse.

Mr McGonigal said the little girl was unhurt in the incident.

Price was arrested and told the police he was given the shotgun about three years’ previously.

He was originally charged with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life but his guilty plea to possession of the weapon without a certificate was accepted by the Crown.

Price’s barrister, Lydia Pearce, said: “His home was under attack in a very significant manner.”

The young child was in danger and he acted to protect his family.

Price had four children and two grandchildren and worked hard to provide for them.

Judge Gibson said he discharged the gun into the back of the BMW after the occupants had run off.

It was a standard partially working firearm that was not intended for any violent purpose.

Price had no relevant previous convictions and was the sole carer for dependent children.

He was sentenced to nine months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, with 120 hours of unpaid work.

He must undertake up to 25 rehabilitation activity days and pay £350 costs.

The gun and ammunition were forfeited by the court.