AN estranged husband used a stungun to injure his new girlfriend and her friend, Worcester Crown Court was told.

John Richards, had imported the weapon illegally from America.

Neither woman was seriously hurt but they were badly shocked, said Lee Marklew, prosecuting.

Richards, aged 45, of Bushey Close, Redditch, admitted having an offensive weapon and carrying out two common assaults.

He was ordered to do 50 hours' unpaid work for the community and made the subject of a two-year community rehabilitation order.

After leaving his wife, Richards began an affair with Angela Phillimore, said Mr Marklew, but there was friction when he continued to visit his wife at home.

It came to a head on May 29, when he confronted Miss Phillimore and her friend Claire Barraclough in the street.

They suffered minor puncture wounds to the body when the gun was discharged.

Martin Jenkins, defending, said Richards was a man of impeccable character but had been suffering from depression and was unable to work.

He had met Miss Phillimore at a centre for people with similar emotional problems.

He had intended to frighten the women with the stungun and they had fully recovered from their injuries.

His future plan was to patch up his relationship with his wife, who had been fully supportive.

Recorder William Davis QC said it was extraordinary that a mature man should behave in such bizarre fashion by arming himself with an unpleasant weapon and assaulting two women in the street.