A CONVICTED sex offender who took pot shots at two youths with an air rifle after their friends called him a "nonce" has been warned by a judge he could be facing jail.

Mark Urwin, 36, snapped following months of torment from neighbours, after his conviction for the indecent assault of a female in July 1997.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how the father-of-three told one of the boys: "You are a dead man."

He then fired at least two shots at them as they made their way home from a party in August last year.

One of the youths, now a student at Sunderland University, said Urwin was involved in a row with a group of his friends at the BP Service Station, in Hedworth, Jarrow, before driving towards them in his car.

The youth said: "I looked over my shoulder and he was leaning over the car with the gun pointing towards us."

Urwin, who had applied to be rehoused after receiving petrol bomb threats, and having his car and house windows smashed during the News of the World's name and shame campaign last year, said he was annoyed after a youth threw a bottle at his car.

He admitted two charges of possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

Urwin, of Chestnut Close, Jarrow, denied firing the gun or aiming it at the boys, but Judge Rebecca Thornton was satisfied he did both. It was unclear if it was loaded.

She granted him bail until Friday when he will be sentenced.