Bishop Auckland man embroiled in bitter feud shot man in arm

Richard Bowser armed himself with a sawn-off shotgun and a reactivated pistol before heading to the Tan Hill Inn with his wife.

The 46-year-old had told a jury that he had armed himself for protection as they drove from their home in a Fiat 500 after being threatened by balaclava wearing man and a car was rammed into his home.

Teesside Crown Court heard how a weekend away at the country’s highest pub ended in violence and one man being shot in the arm.

Sentencing Bowser for wounding with intent and two charges of possessing a weapon with intent the endanger life, after he became embroiled in bitter feud, which erupted into violence at a peaceful remote pub.

Tan Hill Inn

Judge Howard Crowson said: “I acknowledge that your admitted threat is to a discrete group within the wider public but those are nevertheless members of the public requiring protection and you declared yourself unwilling to involve the police.

“I am concerned that these conflicts appear to have occurred in public areas with consequent risk to the wider public and yet you were content to deal with the conflict by carrying lethal weapons with an intention to use them to endanger life.

“Your past violent record, your indiscriminately violent behaviour that night and your admitted intention in relation the firearms that you were carrying leave me in no doubt that you are a dangerous offender.”

Richard Bowser (Image: North Yorkshire Police)

Jurors had heard how Bowser reacted violently when his bank card was declined and he was unable to settle his bar bill at the Tan Hill Inn, the highest pub in England, on July 21 last year.

He slapped the bar manager before attacking other staff and customers as he lashed out indiscriminately towards anyone who confronted him.

His behaviour then took a more sinister turn when he returned to his glamping pod, where he had stashed his weapons, before putting the pistol in his waistband.

When the brother-in-law of one of the assault victims went looking for Bowser he was confronted by an intimidating armed man who was armed and ready for further violence.

Jurors heard how pointed the gun at the man’s head before chasing him to bunkhouse and firing four times through a door.

However, it was after he arrest that police had a glimpse into the mindset of Bowser as details of the bitter feud were brought to light.

Judge Howard Crowson said Bowser’s outburst was captured by North Yorkshire Police after he was tasered and arrested for the shooting.

“You gave a lengthy explanation of a developing violent feud in which you perceived your opponent as a coward resorting to gang attacks upon you,” he said.

“You were recorded as saying “you won’t have a proper fight so I went, that’s why I took the guns, the guns what you’ve got tonight, cos I’m gonna blow his head off. I’m like, you had a chance for a fight, I’m gonna blow your head off” continuing “let me out and I’ll kill the lot of them. I’m not trying to hide f*** all”.

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Bowser was cleared of two charges of attempted murder but convicted of wounding with intent following his trial.

He was also convicted of possessing firearms with the intent to endanger life after he travelled from his home with the two weapons and ammunition.

The defendant had previously admitted assault and possession of firearms as a result of the incident last summer.

The 46-year-old, of Worcester Place, Bishop Auckland, was sentenced to a total of 23 years - 19 years in custody with an extended licence period of four years.