A GUNMAN alleged to have terrified two homeowners on their doorsteps told a court he had heard voices in his head.

John Devaney threatened the people with an imitation firearm following a drink and drugs session after his girlfriend jilted him, a court heard.

Devaney and a friend, Ian Dalgleish, drove around Bolton for two hours in July last year, sparking a major police hunt which involved the Greater Manchester Police helicopter and armed police officers.

Devaney told Bolton Crown Court yesterday that the voices had told him to go to Bolton's Middlebrook Retail Park, where he was spotted brandishing the firearm.

The court heard that Devaney, aged 20, of Newby Road, Breightmet, had suffered a serious head injury two years ago which affected his personality.

Kevin Donnelly, for the defence, asked Devaney how the accident had affected him.

He replied: "I used to be nice before but now I can be nasty to people."

Devaney told the court he had drunk half a bottle of vodka, a bottle of Jack Daniels, six cans of beer and smoked cannabis throughout the day on July 26. He said his relationship with his girlfriend had ended the previous day, leaving him feeling "gutted."

Devaney travelled to his brother Shaun's flat by bus. He left with Shaun, Shaun's partner and Dalgleish to look for a car to buy in Liverpool.

He said Shaun had taken the replica gun, and his brother and Dalgleish pretended to fire the gun at passing vehicles from the window of their car on the journey.

They left Liverpool to go to Urmston, Manchester, where Dalgleish bought a BMW.Devaney said they travelled back to his brother's flat where he allowed them to put make-up on him for a joke.

He said he travelled in the BMW with Dalgleish to the Shell petrol station, on Wigan Road.

"They told me to go into the garage and ask if they had seen my pigeons," said Devaney.

He told the court he could remember going into the Middlebrook Retail Park at 11.40pm, but said he did not wave the gun around.

Defending Dalgleish, Michael Lavery asked Devaney about hearing voices.

Devaney said: "I think the voices in my head told me to go to the Middlebrook Retail Park."

He said he remembered driving to Rutherford Drive, Over Hulton, knocking on the door of Katherine Hope and pointing the gun at his own head. Devaney said he asked the woman if she could phone the police.

He also recalled travelling to the home of Martin Kilcoyne, who lived on St Helens Road, where it is alleged he confronted Mr Kilcoyne brandishing the gun.

Devaney said he had told Dalgleish about what he had done.

When asked what Dalgliesh's reaction was, Devaney replied: "There did not seem to be a reaction there. It was like he was having a laugh about it."

Devaney is facing three counts of possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear.

Ian Stuart Dalgleish, aged 32, of Tarleton Place, off Hulton Lane, is facing two counts of the same charge. The pair deny the charge.

Proceeding