A HAMPSHIRE schoolboy pointed a gun at a classmate's head and threatened to kill him - because the terrified youngster told teachers that the teenager had stolen a hole punch.

Anthony Ballard, 15, was told by a Southampton Crown court judge: "This was an appalling piece of frightening behaviour that was simply dreadful." He admitted possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear and was sent to a young offenders' institute for four months, of which he will serve half in custody.

Angus Robertson, prosecuting, said Ballard, of Holly Lane, Ashley, New Milton, aimed an air pistol loaded with a pellet at a 14-year-old classmate's head as they sat on a bench in the playground at Highwood Pupil Referral Unit.

Mr Robertson said the youngster had told a member of staff that he saw Ballard placing a hole punch in his pocket in a classroom at the county council-run centre, in Highwood Road, Brockenhurst, for children aged 14 to 16 who have been excluded from other schools.

Mr Robertson told the court that Ballard pulled an air pistol out of his pocket and pointed it at the teenager's head and said he was going to blow his head off, said Mr Robertson.

"The boy ran off towards the school buildings pursued by Ballard and told a member of staff who disarmed him."

Simon Medland, defending, said the weapon was made by Italian firm Gun Toys and was not a high-powered firearm.

He said: "It is not a lethal weapon and the teacher thought it did not look particularly realistic. The defendant did not think it was loaded and made no attempt to fire it."

Recorder Nigel Mylne told Ballard that sending him to custody was the only option for such a terrifying crime.

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