Man pointed air rifle at holidaymaker's face in Gwynedd caravan park

A customer pointed an air rifle at a man's face when a row flared up at a Gwynedd caravan park. Paul Challis took issue with other holidaymakers and fetched his weapon before confronting them.

One was shocked although another said they had seen similar things in the Army. Challis soon backed down during the incident in Dolgellau in October last year.

Challis, 54, of Ballantyne Place, Liverpool, admitted three counts of possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence. A judge at Caernarfon Crown Court today said the defendant could be rehabilitated and gave him a 14-month jail term, suspended for 18 months on each count, to run concurrently. You can sign up for all the latest court stories here

READ MORE: Gwynedd craft brewery granted permission to build bar

READ MORE: Parents warned 'we will be coming for you' as off-road biker taunts police

Prosecutor Richard Edwards said the defendant had been staying at Dolserau Uchaf Caravan Park in Dolgellau on October 15, 2023. Another caravanner Larry Harper was packing up.

Mr Harper was saying Goodbye when Challis shouted at him and became aggressive. Challis said Mr Harper had abused Challis's wife. Several caravanners including a Gregory Smith went to see the defendant who went into his own caravan and came back with "a rifle and scope", said the prosecutor.

He said he would "take them out one at a time" and pointed the air rifle at Mr Harper's face, saying he would shoot him, the court heard. Mr Harper was in shock but Mr Smith said he was not fearful because "he had been in the Army", said the prosecutor.

However, another witness Kerry Smith later said she was scared and "couldn't believe" what she was seeing. Police were called.

Challis admitted having the gun and attempting to point it towards witnesses. He said he felt threatened and intimidated by their actions.

John Wyn Williams, defending, said after producing the gun Challis stopped "quite quickly". He accepts he behaved inappropriately and takes full responsibility.

He said: "He obviously has issues with regard to the way he reacts to situations." He had been going to the caravan park for some time and would help people to "settle in" although he has a number of ailments.

The judge His Honour Timothy Petts said a disagreement had escalated and some witnesses were "really quite scared". What he did had been wholly inappropriate but fortunately no harm was done and it didn't last long before things calmed down.

The judge said he didn't think Challis poses a risk to the public. Imposing the suspended sentence, he fined Challis £500 and ordered him to do 15 days of rehabilitation activity.

He also ordered that the air rifle be forfeited and destroyed.

Find crime figures for your area