A FATHER-OF-FIVE who pointed a firearm at a 13-year-old girl has been branded idiotic' by a judge.

Leslie Heaps, aged 32, of Southworth Avenue, Bewsey, pleaded guilty to affray at Warrington Crown Court on Friday after aiming a BB gun at the terrified youngster.

The court heard that the girl, who lives across the road from Heaps, was in her living room on May 13 when she saw him brandish what appeared to be an authentic firearm.

Prosecutor Graham Gerston said: "The defendant appeared in the front garden of his house in possession of a gun which he was loading.

"She then saw him point the gun at her, frightening her, especially when she saw a red light shining on her which appeared to be a laser beam."

The girl's mother reported an ongoing feud between the families and Heaps, who has two children of his own and three stepchildren all under the age of 12, admitted aiming the pellet gun at the girl with the intention of frightening her.

The court heard that a remorseful Heaps, who is unemployed, is a family man and a number of neighbours spoke highly of him.

Defending, Michael Davies, said: "He saw the BB gun as a toy and was larking about but he understands that while he mischievously pointed it across the road at the girl to give her a start he did not appreciate the effect it would have on her.

"It was not born out of a desire to inflict harm on her but was a brief slip of knowing what he was doing."

Judge Janet Case said that Heaps' purchase of a BB gun was in conflict with the image painted of him as a man of responsibility and pointing it at someone was quite remarkably idiotic'.

Heaps received a maximum community service order of 300 hours' unpaid work.