The brother-in-law of Men Behaving Badly actress Leslie Ash was spared Christmas in jail for threatening her sister.

Peter Aboro, 53, was given a community punishment and a curfew yesterday for causing distress and harassing his estranged wife Deborah Ash.

However, a district judge warned he had seriously considered sending him to prison for the incident in Hastings town centre.

Mrs Ash, who lives at the Marina, St Leonards, said she had been left tearful, shaken and scared after coming across Aboro by chance as she walked to a dry cleaners on July 9.

After spotting her, Aboro strode up to her in Queen's Road, blocked her path and called her a thief and a criminal in public view.

Then pointing his fingers in a gun-like gesture, he told her: "I'm going to put one in the back of your nut".

Aboro, of Castledown Avenue, Hastings, denied on August 17 causing harassment, alarm and distress to Mrs Ash.

But on December 1 he was found guilty after former Hot Gossip dancer Mrs Ash testified against him at Hastings Magistrates Court.