A LORRY driver who got out of his cab to remonstrate with a motorist fled in terror when the man produced a gun, a court heard.

James Stopforth had been "carved up" at traffic lights on Chorley New Road, Bolton, and was infuriated when the car driver, Ronand Hobson, made an obscene gesture at him.

Bolton Crown Court was told that Hobson thought Mr Stopforth was about to hit him and produced his 13-year-old brother's ballbearing gun which happened to be in the car.

Mr Stopforth told police that when he saw the gun he thought he was going to die.

Yesterday, Hobson, aged 21, of Marlbrook Drive, Westhoughton, wept as Judge Charles Bloom, QC, told him he would not send him to jail. He admitted possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear or violence.

The judge said he took into account Hobson's previous good character.

Judge Bloom said the gun was legal as it was sold in shops and that it had not been loaded at the time, but he criticised adults in the Hobson family who bought the boy the gun.

He sentenced Hobson to a 240-hour community punishment order and ordered him to pay £400 towards court costs.

Phil Martin, defending, said Hobson perceived Mr Stopforth's actions as threatening so he picked up the gun.

Although he picked up and carried the gun by the barrel, Hobson accepted Mr Stopforth must have been terrified.