A yob has been jailed after he walked down a Maidstone street firing ball bearings from a catapult.

Residents in Quarry Road stood watching in disbelief as Jessie Hilden shot the missiles in the direction of a family living there.

Nobody was hurt in the incident captured on CCTV cameras on May 25 this year.

Sentencing him to eight months, Judge Jeremy Carey said: “Anyone who behaves like you did and goes unpunished brings the law into disrepute.”

Maidstone Crown Court heard Hilden, of Windmill Lane West, West Malling, became involved in a dispute between two families in the street.

Prosecutor Anna Arnone said there was no evidence to show any injuries were caused. The family Hilden was aiming at refused to support a prosecution.

The 27-year-old roofer, who admitted having an offensive weapon in a public place, had previous convictions for public order offences.

Tom Stern, defending, said Hilden regretted becoming involved in something that was nothing to do with him while visiting one of the feuding families.

He claimed he was firing stones and not ball bearings at people sheltered by bushes.

“He recognises his conduct was utterly reckless,” said Mr Stern.

Mr Stern submitted Hilden, who has an unwell son, could be punished in the community.

Judge Carey told Hilden: “I am prepared to sentence you on the basis you were acting recklessly and not aiming at any particular person.”