This is the moment former Royal Scots Dragoon Barry Thorne turned back the clock 40 years... and went on the warpath with a rifle and bayonet.

The 67-year-old former soldier armed himself with the bolt-action weapon after a road rage bust up over a parking spot near his home in St Peter's Road, Margate.

Now a judge has adjourned sentence and ordered an inquiry into how he got the weapon.

Judge Adele Williams, pictured below, told the Crown Prosecution Service: "You should be aware that I am very concerned because this is the second case I have had to deal with.

"The previous one involved a retired police officer - now this is a retired soldier.

"There is a pattern emerging of people who had something to do with law enforcement or the armed services thinking they can brandish weapons around. To my mind this is far too prevalent."

Canterbury Crown Court heard how Thorne had swapped insults with motorist John Donald when he told him to wait in the street... and minutes later returned with the rifle.

He was spotted and a photograph was taken of him on a mobile phone - and was later shown to the judge.

Thorne pleaded guilty to possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence in July this year.

James Bilsland, prosecuting, said: "There was a dispute over a parking space when Thorne asked Mr Donald to move his car.

"There was bad behaviour on both parts. The defendant made threats and Mr Donald made threats back.

"He then asked Mr Donald to wait, went back inside and returned with the rifle with a bayonet attached. He then made jabbing motions.

"The weapon was one he says that he has had for some time. Somebody offered it to him and he bought it - on the understanding that it was a non-working weapon with an obstruction down the barrel."

Philip Rowley, defending, said Thorne had spent nine years in the Army before becoming a long-distance lorry driver.

He is a father of five with 20 grandchildren and great-grandchildren and had joined the Army after leaving school.

Judge Williams: "I am adjourning sentence and I want to know exactly where this weapon came from."

Thorne was given bail until the new hearing later this month.

Last month, Judge Williams gave retired Kent policeman Alan Cripps a suspended sentence after he admitted possessing an imitation firearm with intent.

Cripps, 73, who had served the force for 25 years, had fired the weapon at a group of youngsters rabbitting near his home in Wingham.