A STRANGER went up to a six-year-old girl being walked to school in Kidderminster by her mother and held a gun to her head, Worcester Crown Court was told.

Although the gun turned out to be a toy, it was a very frightening experience, said Judge John Cavell.

Anthony Crump, aged 39, of York Street, Kidderminster, who pleaded guilty to a public order offence, was given a two-year community rehabilitation order on condition he undergoes psychiatric treatment.

Pardeep Tiwana, prosecuting, said the offence happened as mother and daughter were walking in Hurcott Road at 8am on March 11.

After pointing the gun at the girl's head, Crump walked away laughing.

Nicolas Cartwright, defending, said Crump was "plainly not right" at the time and had been behaving in a very silly way.

The judge agreed that Crump was not in a normal state of mind but he had responded to treatment while in prison.