A MAN who was fed up with local youths targeting him carried an imitation firearm with him as protection, York magistrates heard.

Defence solicitor Mark Newell said Brian John Storey, 35, hoped that seeing it would deter other people from attacking him.

He had become a "pariah" in his neighbourhood following an incident in 1993 and was "in sheer terror" when he met his girlfriend and another woman in Huntington Road.

Steven Ovenden, prosecuting, said Storey told the two women: "If anyone messes with me, they will get a pellet."

Storey, of Water End, Clifton, pleaded guilty to possessing an imitation firearm in public and breaching a conditional discharge, and was put on probation for 18 months. He must also pay £50 prosecution costs. Magistrates ordered the fake gun to be destroyed.

The 35-year-old man is now planning to make a new start in Newcastle. "He is tired of being a punch bag and being beaten up on regular occasions," said his solicitor.

Mr Ovenden said Storey got a 12-month conditional discharge on September 14, 2004, for punching a newspaper vendor in Parliament Street. The vendor had had problems with Storey.

Mr Newell said that at a previous hearing Storey had warned him that a group of youths in the court's waiting area intended to harm him.

As lawyer and client left, the youths had approached the pair on both sides and Storey had been taken out by a back door for his own safety. He had run off, pursued by three or four youths.

The solicitor said Storey was a somewhat weak and vulnerable illiterate individual who had become a "total pariah" in his neighbourhood following a court appearance in 1993.

"He made a totally bad and stupid decision to buy the air weapon in question," said Mr Newell.

"At the time he was in sheer terror and he felt he could desist them (local youths) from attacking him."

He had not threatened the women in any way.

Updated: 10:29 Friday, June 17, 2005