People had to dive for cover as pellets ricocheted around a street, a court heard.

Residents called police after Martin Skinner took pot shots at a chimney cover, or cowling, in July. (06) Officers discovered the metal cover had been peppered by 17 shots from an air rifle.

They worked out that the pellets had been fired from Skinner's home in Laybourne Parade, Bevendean.

Irena Ray-Crosby, prosecuting, told Hove Crown Court: "People had to seek cover after shots rebounded into the street.

"The defendant told them he had been shooting an air rifle out of the window and agreed to hand it over."

She said officers noticed items connected with cannabis in the room as Skinner, 42, signed documents to say he did not want the gun any more.

They discovered a small amount of cannabis and ecstasy tablets and challenged Skinner about them.

Miss Ray-Crosby added: "They tried to arrest him but he resisted and had to be restrained using Captor spray.

"He later said he had shot at the chimney cowling every Sunday for the past four weeks.

"The defendant also said he had shot at a spinning chimney cover and at a traffic bollard."

Skinner admitted criminal damage and possessing cannabis resin and ecstasy at an earlier hearing and appeared for sentence yesterday. (mon) He denied possessing a firearm and the charge was ordered to lie on file.

Miss Ray-Crosby added that the house Skinner shot at belonged to a woman who is in her 80s but she was not aware of what had happened.

Tony Loader, defending, said the shots were fired from 50ft away but there was no evidence that anybody had been threatened or put in any direct danger.

He said Skinner had apologised for what happened and had brought £100 to court with him to pay for the damage to the chimney.

Mr Loader added that although Skinner has previous convictions he had mainly stayed out of trouble since he got married in 1992.

Judge John Tanzer gave Skinner a 12 month conditional discharge and ordered him to pay £100 compensation and £350 towards prosecution costs.