A steroid abuser who repeatedly fired a ball-bearing gun at a one-eyed stranger after knocking at his door was chased off with a garden rake, a court has heard.

Burly James Richardson claimed he had been asked by a man he simply identified as 'Mr X' to "hospitalise and stab" his victim in New Romney in what he believed to be a dispute over property and money.

The 32-year-old said however that he opted for a children's BB gun as he only wanted to scare the victim, adding he had previously been shot with it himself and the weapon did "no more than sting".

But a judge ruled that he must have intended "some" injury because if he had simply wanted to frighten Mark Macleman he could have just produced the "intimidating and realistic-looking" gun.

The court heard Richardson went to Mr Macleman's home in Brookland on April 6, 2021 and, having introduced himself with a cover story that he was delivering a washing machine for 'Mark', fired at least six shots from close range when his target came to the door.

Mr Macleman, who lost his eye aged 19 when a stranger threw a bottle at him, was struck by three pellets to his hands, which he had instinctively used to protect his face, while another three hit a flower pot and the front door.

His partner, who was also at the property, hid in fear, said prosecutor Stacey-Lee Holland.

But unperturbed at having been shot and suffering grazes and scratches as a result, the victim bravely chased a fleeing Richardson and hit him several times to the head with a rake.

The court heard this caused a minor injury and his DNA was later recovered from the gardening tool. Mr Macleman had also noted down Richardson's car registration number.

Richardson, of Ryland Place, Folkestone, was arrested and despite initial denials later admitted possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, as well as being concerned in the production of anabolic steroids and possessing cannabis.

Following a hearing earlier this month, Recorder Daniel Stevenson rejected the basis of plea put forward by the defence that he had not intended to hurt Mr Macleman.

Arguments that he had not deliberately fired the gun towards his face or head and was having a "manic" episode brought on by his paranoid schizophrenia were also dismissed.

However, the judge did find in Richardson's favour that the steroids, along with "manufacturing" equipment and "branding" labels, found by police stashed at his home were for personal consumption and not onward sale, as had been alleged by the prosecution.

Giving evidence, Richardson said that at a time when he was homeless, vulnerable and not taking his medication, he had been "befriended and manipulated" by Mr X, who then asked him to hurt the victim.

Richardson added he had previously used the BB gun many times to fire both metal and plastic pellets, and claimed to be "s***ing himself" when he shot Mr Macleman.

He accepted he could have simply used his large physique to hurt Mr Macleman but told the court he was "not that sort of person".

"I made a mistake that day, my life turned upside down and I have got to pay the price. My intention was to go there, scare him and get Mr X's help. But I f***** up, I did the wrong thing," he admitted.

He also told the court he would like to apologise to his victim, before later adding: "If I was there to do serious damage, I would produce something more dangerous than a kids' BB gun.

"I never saw it as a vicious weapon, a dangerous weapon. I saw it as a scare."

The court heard Mr X was later identified by police and arrested but it is not known if any charge resulted.

Ms Holland said the victim had suffered serious psychological harm in the form of acute anxiety, PTSD, and depression.

"He said his idyllic home in the countryside was now his prison, he cannot relax and is constantly on guard," she added.

Asked about his steroid production and use, Mr Richardson said he "took pride" in making them himself, adding he did not count how many he took but would "pour them into my hand and just swallow, every day without fail".

But he maintained the amount found by police - said to have a wholesale value of around £2,700 - was all for personal use. The court was also told there was no evidence on his phone to suggest steroid supply to others.

Andrew Forsyth, defending, said Richardson had suffered "deep-seated childhood trauma" which developed into further mental health issues as an adult and his eventual diagnoses, including bipolar.

He added that at the time of the shooting incident, he was "fighting his demons" and had rejected his wife's long-standing support and care.

"This was the lowest time of his life, a life in which there had already been many lows. In shunning his wife and her help, he was effectively homeless, he was not taking medication," said Mr Forsyth.

"If healthy and his normal self he would have said 'no' to this escapade and run a mile. He is not a violent man but he eventually and stupidly agreed to what he did, which was not to hospitalise."

Mr Forsyth also told the court Richardson was otherwise a "hard-working, decent, good husband and father".

But on jailing Richardson for two-and-a-half years, Recorder Stevenson told him he was "not thinking of his wife and her son" when he shot his victim on his doorstep.

"He only had one functioning eye and I am satisfied you didn't know this. But the very real anxiety and stress you caused him, owing to the fact he might be rendered blind, is a consequence of your conduct," the judge said.

"It is clear your conduct committed on the doorstep has had an enormous impact on them (the victim and his partner). What happened must have been absolutely terrifying, and you have made them both feel they don't want to live in their own home - a place they should feel safe."

Having read what he described as a "heartfelt" letter from Richardson's wife, who supported him in court, the judge continued: "You are capable of being a good father and a good husband.

"It is a shame that on the day in question you did not think of your wife and her son."

Richardson was told his sentence had been reduced due to his mental health having had "some" impact on his decision-making, as well as the delay in court proceedings and the current overcrowded state of the prison system.