A LOCAL man brandishing an air gun who made threats kill whilst in a drunken state has been given a four month suspended prison sentence.

Shane Thomas Murray aged 36 of Dan-y-Deri appeared at a Magistrates Court hearing at Newport Crown Court on Tuesday charged with using threatening behaviour on May 5.

The court heard that Murray had gone to an address in Rother Avenue at 11.30pm brandishing a BB Gun to speak with his cousin identified only as Mrs Ruck.

When she realised that Murray was in an agitated state she called the police.

Prosecuting Rob Simkins said: "Murray was issuing verbal threats to shoot 'Beefy from Croesonen' adding I don't want to live my life anymore, I might as well do him before I go."

The police arrived at the Rother Avenue address and arrested Murray, but were unable to question him until 11am the next because he was so intoxicated.

Murray pleaded guilty to the offence and defending solicitor Louise Warren said that in the cold light of day Murray had regretted his actions.

"Murray had the best intentions in trying to protect his son from being sold drugs, but he had gone about resolving the issue in the wrong way."

The case was previously heard by District Judge Richard Williams who requested a detailed background to be carried out on Murray before sentencing was carried out.

The magistrates read the report and chairman of the bench Dr Jonathan Tribbick and told Murray, "We've listened to the case against you and read the report into your background, but nothing hides the fact that this is a very severe matter involving an imitation firearm.

"This is a custodial matter and we are sentencing you to four months in prison.

"However in this instance we are suspending the order provided you do not commit another offence in the next 18 months and comply with the following obligations namely attend probation meetings as instructed; take part in the Crime Reduction Initiative and the Substance Abuse Project."

Mr Tribbick warned, "Failure to comply with these instructions means your will be back before the courts and ordered to serve your four month prison sentence in full."

Mr Tribbick ordered that Murray pay costs of £85 and the forfeiture of the BB gun and its destruction.