A MAN who brandished a blank-firing pistol in his former girlfriend's flat was acting like "a drunken show-off," Worcester Crown Court heard.

Michael Hyde loaded the weapon but only made a vague threat before leaving, said David Iles, prosecuting.

Hyde, aged 28, of York Street, Stourport, was given a two-year community rehabilitation order and ordered to pay £578 costs after pleading guilty to affray.

The prosecution offered no evidence on a charge of possessing a firearm intending to put people in fear of violence and a not guilty verdict was recorded.

Hyde had been drinking heavily before he went to the flat in Old Ford Walk, Stourport, the home of his ex-girlfriend, Kate Percy.

The couple's relationship had broken down after two and a half years and they had a one-year-old son.

Mr Iles said Hyde had paid £46 for the gun in Stourport a short time before he visited the flat. Women visiting Miss Percy were frightened when he burst in and made a vague threat.

Hyde, who had previous convictions for affray, arson and criminal damage, was "drunkenly showing off" said his barrister, Tim Harrington.

Judge John Cavell agreed and said custody would have been inevitable had Hyde pointed the weapon at someone and put them in fear.