A terrified traffic warden has quit his job after a gun-toting driver threatened to shoot him.

NCP parking attendant Edward Tiley feared for his life when pest controller Gary Hunnisett brandished a gun in a case during a dispute over an out-of-date permit.

Hove Crown Court was told how Mr Tiley was waiting by the van in Seafield Road, Hove, when Hunnisett returned from a call-out.

Rachel Beckett, prosecuting, said the pest controller then threatened to gun down the warden if he didn’t move away from his work van.

She added: “When he returned the defendant went to the van which had a gun case inside.

“He told him to get away from the van and to go and do his job.

“The defendant lifted the guncase and said 'if you don't move I'll shoot you'.”

Mr Tiley made a “code red” radio call saying he had been threatened with a gun as the van drove off.

Police found the van with the guncase containing a Weihrauch HW77K .22 air rifle and a second air rifle in the back parked in nearby St Aubyns, Hove, on August 15, 2007.

Hunnisett was arrested and when interviewed admitted “having a go” at Mr Tiley and telling him to “get a life”.

Miss Beckett said: “He denied pointing the gun case at him and said he was joking when he said 'if you give me a ticket I will shoot you with my gun'.”

Hunnisett, 38, of White Hill Road, Crowborough, later refused to accept a police caution over the incident.

He was charged with possessing a firearm with intent to cause Mr Tiley to believe unlawful violence would be used against him and threatening unlawful violence.

Hunnisett denied both charges but pleaded guilty to an alternative charge of affray just before his trial was due to begin at Hove Crown Court on Monday.

Siobhan Molloy, defending, said Hunnisett had been made redundant from his job as an environmental pest controller two weeks before Christmas.

She added: “The redundancy was for financial reasons and was nothing to do with this case. He has got another job working for a shoe repairer.”

Hunnisett was ordered to pay Mr Tiley £300 compensation and was fined £200 and must pay £500 prosecution costs.

Recorder John Hardy, QC, said Hunnisett had acted with “bad taste and wrong humour in a moment of foolishness.”

He added: “Had you not got on your high horse the matter could have been dealt with by way of a caution.”