A GUNMAN who shot his best friend in the arm with a home-made firearm was jailed for three-and-a-half years yesterday.

Anthony Conlon was left with a gaping flesh wound after best mate Dean Potts, 31, shot him at point blank range.

The gun discharged lethal shotgun cartridges.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how Potts and Mr Conlon had been drinking at a friend's house at The Green, in Sunderland, last May.

John Aitkin, prosecuting, said: "Potts, clearly in drink, started to prod Mr Conlon in the leg with the gun.

"While the gun was pointed in Mr Conlon's direction, he fiddled with the complicated firing mechanism and fired.

"He fired the pellet into his arm, leaving a wound 5cm by 6cm. Mr Conlon managed to get out into the passageway, then came back and collapsed. Dean Potts ran off."

Mr Conlon was taken to hospital for treatment, and Potts sparked an armed siege at his home in Ridley Street, Sunderland.

With the help of George Lumsden, 27, he fled to a neighbour's house and watched police while listening on a scanner device, but was persuaded to give himself up.

Defence barrister Tim Parkin said: "He is very sorry for that which had happened and he is, of course, the author of his own misfortune, the way he behaved goes way beyond foolishness."

Potts pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding and having possession of a firearm when committing an offence.

Lumsden also of Ridley Street, Sunderland, pleaded guilty to impeding the apprehension of another, and was sentenced to a curfew order for three months and will be electronically tagged.

Judge Guy Whitburn said: "It is quite clear from looking at the weapon it took a long time to construct. He was a very good friend of yours and I accept this was done when drunk.