A man who "fired" an imitation firearm through a letterbox in a fit of rage has been handed a suspended prison sentence.

Brendan Beirne committed the act at the Filton flat of Philip Lambourne, who had had a row with Beirne's girlfriend.

Mr Lambourne's dog had bitten the woman's daughter and she confronted him about it in a pub.

Bristol Crown Court heard that the woman told Mr Lambourne his dog should be put down and he had said "go on then, kill the dog".

The court was told Mr Lambourne said to the woman: "The last time the dog bit your daughter. Next time it will kill her."

Beirne, 25, who is from Westbury-on-Trym, became angry and followed Mr Lambourne to his home then collected an imitation gun from his home before returning and firing it through the letterbox.

Mr Lambourne phoned the police and the defendant was arrested.

Beirne admitted a charge of possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and was handed a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.

He was also ordered to carry out 300 hours of unpaid work, pay Mr Lambourne £500 compensation and pay £150 prosecution costs.

Kenneth Bell, prosecuting at Bristol Crown Court, told how the weapon was fired on May 24 this year after the defendant had been drinking at a pub in Gloucester Road, Bristol.

Catherine Spedding, defending, said her client was of "impeccable character" and committed the offence in a moment of "madness".

Sentencing Beirne, Judge David Ticehurst said: "It's an extremely serious offence to threaten someone with a firearm, whether real or imitation."

He said he took into account the victim's provoking words, "Next time it will kill her", and said he would suspend the jail term.