A HAMPSHIRE man is today beginning a 27-month prison sentence for a "disgraceful'' Rambo-style attack on neighbours.

David Doughty, 45, tried to resolve a neighbourhood dispute by appearing on the front lawn of his Botley home wearing a black bandana and brandishing a gun and a bayonet.

He fired the weapon, which onlookers thought was a sawn-off shotgun but was later found to be an imitation duelling pistol, at a man who had come to complain about gangs of youths loitering outside his home.

The father of two then tried to hide from police by crouching in the middle of the River Hamble "for some time", wearing only his underwear.

When he was finally arrested he was suffering from hypothermia and had to be treated at Southampton General Hospital.

At Southampton Crown Court, Doughty admitted possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, possessing an offensive weapon, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance.

The bizarre series of events on August 28 started with a relative of a neighbour visiting Doughty's Bailey Road home to ask why local teenagers kept hanging around outside his house.

Unemployed Doughty refused to answer the door but burst out seconds later brandishing the weapons and screaming 'Who's been banging on my door, no one gets away with that'.

One neighbour said: "He was acting a bit like Rambo."

After firing the weapon, he jumped in his car, despite serving a three-year ban and sped off, but lost control of the vehicle, which he was yet to purchase, and crashed. He continued his escape attempt on foot through woods, before eventually opting for the river. He told police he was trying to get to the other side to use a telephone.

No explanation was given as to why the youths congregated outside his home.

Matthew Jewell, for the defence, said Doughty was not a violent man and should not go prison because his 15 and 18-year-old daughters would suffer.

He said: "In any view it was a disgraceful piece of behaviour. His conduct later, bizarre as it may be, simply goes to emphasise his state of mind.''

But his honour Judge John Boggis QC said: "The incident that night must have been terrifying. The victim must have thought his life was going to end.

"I have taken everything said so eloquently on your behalf and none of it persuades me. Only an immediate custodial sentence is justified."

Doughty was also banned from driving for a further two years. Half his 27-month sentence is suspended.