A teenager who shot at a van with a BB gun did so in "a few seconds of folly" after a driving dispute, a court heard today.

Luke Thomas Humphries, 18, of Fosseway Gardens, Avon, admitted possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

Winchester Crown Court heard that Humphries fired a single shot from a BB gun at a Ford Transit van travelling on the A303 at Deptford on June 19 this year.

Tessa Hingston, prosecuting, said: "The driver of the van looked to his right and saw a male, who appeared to be a passenger, pointing a blue handgun directly at his van."

Ms Hingston explained that the driver was then "shocked" to hear "something like a stone" hitting the side of his van.

The court heard that Humphries claimed his friend had overtaken the van and it had speeded up, causing them to pull out and then brake and the car behind had subsequently tooted its horn.

As a result, he took his BB gun out of the glove compartment and fired the plastic pellet at the van.

Humphries claimed to be carrying the weapon for protection because he had attended a motocross event in Winchester where there had previously been a stabbing.

Nicholas Cotter, mitigating on behalf of Humphries, said: "This was an impulsive action of an immature young man.

"He has had the greatest lesson in maturity that he could have had, namely being arrested and being brought before the courts.

"It has forced maturity onto his shoulders. This was a few seconds of folly, which has plagued him since his arrest and will plague him for a lot longer."

Mr Cotter added that Humphries was remorseful, of previously good character and will "never be before the courts again".

Judge Jane Miller QC handed Humphries a 12 month jail term, suspended for a year, and also ordered that he complete 25 days of a rehabilitation activity and 100 hours of community payback.

Judge Miller said: "As the gun went past his side, first you were pointing at his vehicle and then you waved it about.

"It was extremely dangerous to discharge it on a road. That victim, had he been more frightened, could easily have caused an accident.

"It is obvious that I do have to pass a custodial sentence.

"I hope you have learned a serious lesson and I hope you have been very frightened by facing this court."

He was further ordered to pay £300 in compensation to the driver of the van and forfeit the BB gun to be destroyed.