A CONCERNED resident who went to the aid of a weeping man was suddenly confronted by a sawn-off shotgun, a court heard.

John Edgar had heard loud screaming outside his daughter's house and discovered Mark Golding hunched in a ginnel crying.

But when Edgar asked if he was all right Golding swore at him and pointed a shotgun in his direction.

Golding had earlier wrecked his rented home after becoming upest about marriage problems by hurling two chairs through the front window and smashing up his television set.

Golding, aged 29, of Daisy Street, Deane, Bolton, was sentenced at Bolton Crown Court to nine months in jail.

He had earlier admitted possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear and violence to John Edgar.

The court heard that earlier in the evening Golding's neighbours heard screaming and saw him throw two chairs through the front room window.

When Golding was arrested later he admitted having the gun which he said had been decommissioned and unloaded but denied aiming it at Edgar.

Golding claimed that he had bought the shotgun six weeks previously for decorative purposes because of his interest in guns.