A man from Bury St Edmunds has avoided jail after threatening his housemate with a replica BB gun.

Joshua Saunders, of Church Road in the west Suffolk town, appeared in the dock for sentencing at Ipswich Crown Court on Thursday.

Saunders had pleaded guilty to possession of an imitation firearm with the intent of causing fear of guidance.

Charles Judge, prosecuting, told the court that 20-year-old Saunders had been living with an old school friend for three months when the incident took place on February 2 last year.

The arrangement had been working well, until the woman initiated a conversation with about damage Saunders’ dog had caused to the house.

The woman said she found the damage disrespectful. Saunders then accused her of having stolen money from his room.

However, the court heard that Saunders has since accepted he was mistaken in this belief.

Mr Judge said that Saunders then went upstairs and came back with an imitation BB gun, which he “slammed” onto the table.

He asked if the woman intended to give him his money, and she responded that she didn’t have it.

Saunders then appeared to load something into the gun, and said: “Go and get the money now before I shoot you in the foot.”

The woman left the house, before returning and asking Saunders to leave.

She called her father, who telephoned the police. Saunders was then arrested.

Representing Saunders was Richard Potts.

Mr Potts told the court that "immaturity" played a part in this case, as Saunders was only 19 when the incident took place.

Presiding Judge David Pugh sentenced Saunders to 18 months in jail, having deducted six months for his early guilty plea. He suspended this sentence for two years.

He also ruled that Saunders will undertake 25 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days and 180 hours of unpaid work.