A BRAVE policeman cornered a teenage gunman as he ran amok in a Kidderminster street, a court was told.

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

The youth, 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 in the street before he broke into a house nearby which belonged to a family away on holiday.

Laga cut himself on a broken window and left a trail of blood around the house as he walked around.

Police then saw him running towards the patrol car and PC Crowther - "showing commendable fortitude" - headed him off, said Mr Lockhart.

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. He had not harboured any long-standing hostility towards them.

The neighbour had been paid £50 for the damage. Laga broke in while in a confused state.

Miss Williams said he was now on the right medication and had curbed his excessive drinking.

Judge Mott said if he jailed Laga he would emerge from prison in a worse state. Probation was on condition that he underwent counselling for alcohol abuse and receive psychological help.