A sentencing hearing for a 36-year-old Suffolk man who fired a shotgun into the home of a work colleague after they fell out has been adjourned to later this week due to his barrister being unwell.

Before Ipswich Crown Court on Monday (September 4) via a prison video link was Jason Anderson of Riverside, Brandon.

He admitted possessing a shotgun with intent to cause fear of violence and unlawful wounding in June and sentence was adjourned until Monday for a pre-sentence report, with Judge Martyn Levett warning Anderson that he was facing a lengthy prison sentence.

A pellet from the gun fired by Anderson struck Mr Smith, who was in his living room in High Street, Brandon, on the hip causing an injury.

Police were called to Mr Smith's home after he reported he had been shot in the leg.

Prior to the shooting Mr Smith and Anderson, who were work colleagues, had spent the evening drinking together at Mr Smith’s home before Anderson left the property after an argument.

Anderson had later returned with a loaded shotgun and had “stupidly” fired it into the living room, which was in darkness, through a patio door intending to frighten Mr Smith, said Matthew McNiff for Anderson.

He said Anderson accepted firing the gun into the dark room was reckless. “He didn’t intend to cause really serious harm and there was no intention to murder,” said Mr McNiff.

The court heard that since the incident guns found at Anderson’s home had been seized and his firearms certificate had been revoked.

Anderson was due to have been sentenced on Monday but Judge Levett adjourned the hearing until later this week due to his barrister being unwell.