A MAN who fired a shotgun at his neighbour’s house has been jailed for four years and three months.

Marcus Hudson, 42, was arrested three hours after the shooting in Oaklands, Ardingly, on the evening of July 17 this year.

A huge police operation was launched after the shots were fired with the force helicopter sent to search for Hudson.

As well as shooting at his neighbour’s house he also shot at the windscreen of a parked car in nearby Gowers Close.

Nobody was hurt but the gunshots damaged the door.

Hudson, of Oaklands, Ardingly, was charged with possession of a shotgun with intent to cause fear of violence, possession of a loaded shotgun in a public place and criminal damage.

He pleaded guilty to all the charges at Lewes Crown Court on Friday.

Detective Sergeant Vicki Tomlinson said: “Hudson’s actions and behaviour caused a lot of fear and anxiety in the local community. Luckily no one was hurt that evening. We carried out extensive searches for the shotgun but never found it.

“We are pleased that he admitted the offences and has been imprisoned for 51 months.”