A MAN who pressed a high-powered airgun against his neighbour’s head could face a lengthy prison sentence.

A jury at Bolton Crown Court convicted David Snape, by a 10 to two majority, of possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

The four-day trial, which prosecuting barrister Louise Brandon, likened to a James Bond-style thriller, heard how Snape, aged 57, of Gregson Field, Daubhill, turned up on John Bond’s doorstep on August 8.

Snape, who had previously served a four-year jail term for firearms offences, was angry over comments he believed Mr Bond had made about him, and threatened his victim, who had answered the door in his underwear, with a loaded, gas-powered BB gun.

Mr Bond managed to disarm Snape and called the police while the gunman sat outside his flat and asked a passer-by to try to retrieve his weapon for him.

Snape denied the offence, claiming it was Mr Bond who had the gun and had pistol-whipped him in the face with it.

But it took a jury just over four hours to find Snape, who was on crutches in the dock, guilty.

Sentencing was adjourned until May 9 to allow reports on Snape to be prepared. He was remanded in prison.

Judge Elliot Knopf told him: “Unless there are exceptional circumstances you will be serving a lengthy period in custody.”

He told the jury: “Courts take a very serious view with regard to people who wave guns around whether they are capable of being fired or not.”