A MAN who admits threatening a male with two shotguns as trouble flared after an Eden Valley village birthday party has been told to expect a jail term.

Malcolm Paul Newby, 52, appeared at Carlisle Crown Court this morning (FRI) over a video link from custody.

Newby pleaded guilty to two charges of possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence. He is said to have had two shotguns “with intent by means thereof to cause Callum Gill to believe that unlawful violence would be used against him”.

The offences were committed in the village of Maulds Meaburn, between Appleby and Shap, during the early hours of July 12 this year.

Newby’s barrister, Kim Whittlestone, asked for the case to be adjourned for the preparation of a probation service pre-sentence report. “There is a wealth of material the defendant will be seeking to draw before the court for the date of sentence,” said Miss Whittlestone.

Judge David Potter agreed, and adjourned the case until September 25, when Newby, of Low Lankaber, Maulds Meaburn, will receive his punishment. In the meantime he was remanded in custody while the background report is prepared.

“That report will look into your background, look into the circumstances of these offences, assess what risk - if any - you pose, and will ultimately make recommendations,” Judge Potter told the defendant.

“Whatever is recommended, the court considers these offences to be very serious and you can expect an immediate custodial sentence. But all sentencing options remain open.”