ARMED police were called to a council housing office after a tenant who had been evicted turned up with a gun.

David Richards, 46, marched into the reception in Church Road, Stockton, and threatened to blow an official's head off.

Teesside Crown Court heard yesterday that he told Maria Leatherland: "I'm half-nose Davy Richards. Anti-social behaviour I am not, firearms I am."

He patted the pocket where he had a replica 9mm pistol, saying if she did not believe him, he would blow her head off.

Father-of-ten Richards, who has lived at a probation hostel in Shaftsbury Street, Midlesbrough, since the incident in January, was jailed for 15 months after he admitted possessing an imitation firearm.

Judge Anthony Briggs told him: "I bear in mind it is not a firearm in the sense of being able to fire explosive bullets, but one powered by spring and air.

"But it is a terrifying-looking item and I can well imagine the unfortunate Mrs Leatherland reacting in an extremely upset and distressed way.

"Conduct like that is unforgivable, and custody is inevitable."

Tom Mitchell, prosecuting, told the court that following the first visit, Richards returned to the housing office with a friend and they were shown to an interview room.

Mrs Leatherland watched closed circuit television pictures of the room and saw the pair swapping bottles of cider before Richards pulled the gun - loaded with ball bearings - from his pocket. Armed police were called and the pair were arrested.

Graeme Gaston, for Richards, said that although his criminal record was 17 pages long and contained 92 offences, he had made an "almost miraculous" response to his time in the hostel.

He had been off alcohol for the first time since he was ten, had resumed contact with two of his children and had regular meetings with his parents for the first time in three years.

"It may be that he could, even at 46 years of age, turn the corner," said Mr Gaston. "It is perhaps the only chance he has left."