What was it about Ronald Walton that made neighbours mock him to the point that he eventually flipped his lid?

The 60-year-old proudly sports an "Elvis style" hairpiece whenever he goes out in public, attracting gasps of astonishment rather than admiration.

It is believed his crowning glory was at the centre of a feud with neighbours that landed him in court.

Newcastle Crown Court was told that he had been the victim of "name calling" and exacted a terrifying revenge.

He narrowly escaped jail after he pulled a handgun on Alan and Vivienne Reed, and threatened to shoot them.

Recorder Graham Hyland QC suspended his 18-month prison sentence for two years, when he admitted affray.

The court was not told the exact nature of the name-calling, but a legal source confirmed after the case that Mr Walton's wig had played a big part in the row.

Neighbours in West Avenue, North Shields, North Tyneside, were left in no doubt as to why people might want to poke fun at Walton.

One said: "There was a hell of a row involving this bloke, and the neighbours moved away.

"I know that people take the mickey out of him, because of his ridiculous wig.

"He fancies himself as an Elvis Presley lookalike. But when you see him, it looks like an old rug sitting there.

"People call him "Elvis" and "Wiggy", but that's no excuse for doing what he did."

The court heard how Walton pointed a handgun at the Reeds, pensioners who lived in the flat upstairs, during an argument.

Mr Reed suffered chest pains and had to be taken to hospital - he was later given the all clear.

The gun turned out to be an airpistol.

Robert Adams. mitigating, said: "Each blames the other for the dispute. But Mr Walton puts it down to name calling by them.