A WINDERMERE man who threatened two church workers with a realistic imitation pistol was saved from jail after the judge heard he was a full-time carer for his seriously ill wife.

Carlisle Crown Court was told that Benjamin Mansfield and Ramin Saleki pushed leaflets advertising the Lakes Christian Centre through David Attwood's letterbox and were terrified when he came outside and confronted them with the pistol.

Armed police rushed to Attwood's home, on Woodlands Road, after the incident on June 5 believing a genuine firearm was involved.

Attwood, 38, had admitted possessing an imitation 8mm handgun with intent to cause fear of violence at an earlier hearing.

Prosecutor Tim Evans told the court that Attwood appeared at his front door and told the two men he was sick of leaflets being pushed through his door, then went back inside and reappeared with the gun pushed into his waistband.

He pointed it at Mr Mansfield for about three seconds and both men believed it was real, Mr Evans said.

When police arrived at his home, he handed over two imitation guns.

He told them he and his wife had suffered months of harassment from people knocking on their door and windows and then disappearing.

Defence barrister Gregory Hoare told the judge, Mr Recorder Webster, that Attwood had cared for his wife, who has serious health problems, for more than ten years and that her condition is so serious that sending him to jail could have fatal consequences for her.

Mrs Attwood, who has only one kidney and difficulties with the remaining one, sat in the public gallery through the hearing and several times had to use an inhaler.

After reading medical reports of Mrs Attwood's condition, Mr Recorder Webster told Attwood the offence would normally carry an automatic prison sentence but he had decided there were exceptional circumstances.

He ordered both imitation guns to be destroyed and gave Attwood a 12-month suspended prison sentence, telling him: "You have escaped jail by a whisker.

You're a lucky man."

Afterwards, Mr Attwood, who must pay £350 prosecution costs, said: "I was very worried the judge might send me to prison and the effect that would have on my wife, Cath."

Mrs Attwood, who is waiting to have an operation on her remaining kidney, said: "I'm very relieved.

It has all been a nightmare."