A 'GUNMAN' who shot another man in the face with an airgun has been handed a suspended jail sentence.

Daniel Peter Joseph Meadows shot David Andrew Joslin in the face on December 7 last year in Victoria Road, Dorchester after both men, who have previous difficulty with each other, exchanged text messages, a court heard.

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Bournemouth Crown Court heard how Meadows, aged 21, pleaded guilty to possessing and firing an airgun with intent to cause the victim to believe that unlawful violence would be used against him.

Prosecutor Robin Leach said: "He shot the victim in the face.

"The act has left the victim in a state of looking of his shoulder and constantly worrying about going into the town centre."

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Mitigating Robert Griffiths said the Meadows had appeared in front of the court several times during his late teens, but the 21-year-old now works full time in the construction industry and is trying to turn his life around.

Meadows provided a statement in court and said the reason behind his actions was to protect his child and partner after he exchanged messages with the victim.

In court, Meadows said: "It should not have happened, but the reason why it did is because I was protecting my family.

"He came near where I lived and started spinning his car's wheels.

"My mindset may not have been in the right place at that time.

"The gun was bought legally and I had it stored away.

"I should not have shot the gun."

Mr Griffiths said: "This is a blip and a lack of maturity to how to deal with a situation. He has pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and he's thrown himself at the mercy of the court."

His Honour Judge Brian Forster QC, said: "There was previous difficultly between the offender and victim - and prior to the shooting there was an exchange of text messages bringing the victim to where Meadows lived.

"Meadows had in his possession the air pistol which was used to threaten the victim who was hit by a bullet - this would have been a frightening situation.

"You say you used it to protect your family and you would have likely not acted in that way if the victim did not come near to your home."

Meadows was given a two-year prison sentence - suspended for 18 months.

Meadows will have to pay £156 court costs and has been put on a four-month curfew from 9pm until 6am.

He will also have to complete 100 hours of unpaid work.