A BRAVE policeman cornered a teenage gunman as he ran amok in a town street, a court heard.

Drunken Leon Laga, who was suffering from mental problems, armed himself after a row with his mother and broke into a neighbour's Kidderminster home.

But as he emerged from the property, PC James Crowther drove his patrol car at him and he backed up against a wall.

The 19-year-old then pushed the imitation pistol through the passenger window and yelled: "Get out of the car before I kill you," said Andrew Lockhart, prosecuting at Worcester Crown Court.

PC Crowther managed to fire a CS spray into the teenager's face and he was overpowered by other officers.

Laga, of Bewdley Hill, Kidderminster, pleaded guilty to affray and criminal damage. Sentencing him to three years probation, Judge Michael Mott said he was fortunate he lived in Britain or he would have been shot.

Laga, who has attempted suicide, was returned to hospital where he is undergoing psychological treatment.

Mr Lockhart described how a taxi driver ducked down when he saw Laga holding a gun at 2am in Bewdley Hill on August 29 last year. His mother spoke to him before he broke into a house which belonged to a family on holiday.

Laga, of previous good character, told police he had drunk a bottle of rum after a family row then flipped and went "completely mad".

Jeanette Williams, defending, said his mental state at the time was extremely fragile from a depressive illness.

His parents had been very supportive and had forgiven him.