A SOUTHAMPTON thug who had been seeing two women at the same time fired an imitation gun after being confronted for cheating.

Kieron Kimber had been out drinking with his friends when the two women he had been dating decided to challenge his behaviour, a court heard.

When the pair turned up at the Good Companions pub in Eastleigh, the 30-year-old became upset.

Prosecuting, Timothy Bradbury said Kimber and his friend, Christopher Habgood, left the pub and approached the driver of a Black BMW who had dropped both women off.

Habgood “set about the car”, smashing the front windscreen with a crash helmet.

The driver was assaulted and Kimber threatened to “get [his] parents”.

READ MORE: Fly-tipper fined for dumping mattresses in Westridge Road car park

After leaving the scene, Kimber travelled to Chapel Drove in Horton Heath where he found the man’s father in the garage.

He produced a silver, imitation pistol he fired two blanks near his victim.

Mr Bradbury said the victim, who was not injured, described "a feeling of being permanently on edge" and has installed CCTV at his home.

Kimber, formerly of Warburton Road but now residing in HMP Winchester, was convicted at trial of assault by beating and possession of an imitation firearm.

Habgood, 24, of Portsmouth Road, Bursledon pleaded guilty to criminal damage.

Daily Echo: Kieron Kimber (left) and Christopher HabgoodKieron Kimber (left) and Christopher Habgood (Image: Hampshire Constabulary.)

READ MORE: Thug sliced through man's arm with kitchen knife in Southampton

The pair were also convicted of multiple other offences including a burglary which took place at Brenhaul Car Repairs in Hathaway Close, Eastleigh and two incidents where they drove to Guys Marsh prison in Dorset to smuggle in drugs, phones and sim cards.

The men, who run a fencing business, appeared side by side at Southampton Crown Court for sentencing on Tuesday (December 20).

Mitigating, Andrew Houston told the court how this is a “significant escalation” for Kimber who had never appeared at crown court before but was a “regular visitor to the magistrates’ court”.

Habgood, who was previously given a suspended sentence for a separate burglary, is “much less highly convicted” and has “reflected on his life during the 19 months he has been on remand”.

Judge Brian Forster KC said that Kimber had “decided to take revenge” on the family when he produced the fake firearm.

He was jailed for five years whilst Habgood was given a three-year sentence.

Both men have already served 19 months on remand waiting to be sentenced.

A message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this article - we appreciate your support in reading the Daily Echo.

Subscribing to the Echo means you have unrestricted access to the latest news, features and Saints coverage - all with an advertising-light website.

You will also have full access to Saintsplus, your new home for Southampton FC tactical analysis, features and much, much more.

Don't just take my word for it - subscribe today.

Follow the latest breaking news in the Southampton area by searching Southampton News - Breaking News and Incidents on Facebook

Follow the latest court and crime news on our dedicated group by searching Hampshire Court and Crime News on Facebook