A man who murdered his mother more than 20 years ago has been jailed for shooting a pensioner in the leg.

Brian Acott was jailed in June 1995 for brutally killing his 78-year-old mother Ivy, at her bungalow home in Marshall Road, Rainham, in 1993.

The 71-year-old was jailed for life after he smashed her head repeatedly against a radiator on Febraury 17, 1993. He lived alone with his mother who had divorced his father.

An Old Bailey jury heard that after killing her he rifled through her papers to check her will.

Acott was resentful because his mother treated him like a 13-year-old giving him pocket money allowance.

He became tired of her nagging behaviour and she called him ‘wriggle-bottom’ because he fidgeted whilst watching television.

Recorder Sir Lawrence Verney told him: “You have been convicted of a terrible murder the explanation for it is not clear at all but it has happened and will no doubt be something you have to live with for the rest of your life.

“The only sentence the court can pass if one of life imprisonment.”

Acott, of Fairmead Close, Fittleworth, Sussex, has now been jailed for eight years, three months after shooting his neighbour in the leg on Halloween last year.

The neighbour, 61-year-old Sean Luby, was treated by paramedics at the scene for a gunshot wound to the leg and was taken to hospital. He was discharged a few weeks later.

Acott was arrested and charged with wounding with intent, possessing a firearm when prohibited for life and possessing a prohibited weapon.

He pleaded guilty to possessing a prohibited weapon and assault earlier this month, and was remanded in custody ahead of sentencing on Friday, October 21, at Chichester Crown Court.

Mr Luby says he is likely to suffer lasting health problems as a result of the shooting - sparked by a series of neighbourhood disputes in the leafy Sussex village on the edge of the South Downs.

Mr Luby said he had complained about his nuisance neighbour, in Fairmead Close, Fittleworth, to housing association Hyde but no one warned him of Acott’s violent past.

An investigation into how brutal murderer Acott was able to get hold of a gun and shoot his neighbour and why he was released after serving no more than ten years of his life sentence has now been launched.

Victim Mr Luby said: “This man was a huge pain. He was a nasty inconsiderate drunk old man, but I didn’t know until all this happened that he murdered his own mother.

“I am angry that he was allowed to get out of prison and do this.

“But I’m even more angry that the housing association and the probation service didn’t do anything about it.

“I complained to them so many times about this man’s behaviour.

“I just hope that he has to stay in jail and serve the rest of his life sentence.”

Mr Luby said that the last time the housing association had intervened a probation officer had visited Acott’s home - suggesting the authorities dealing with their disputes was aware of Acott’s criminal background.

Mr Luby said he was angry that no one had warned him about Acott.

He added: “He has been causing problems the whole time since he had live here.

“The last time the housing association got involved they came round with the guy who deals with antisocial behaviour, the estate manger and a probation officer.

“They knew what he was.

“Someone should have done something. Someone should have had some sort of duty of care for me.”

Mr Luby said he would never get over the incident and would suffer from continuing medical problems in his leg for the rest of his life.

Hyde Housing Association had not responded to a request for a comment on the case at the time of going to press - but said they had no control over residents placed in their properties by councils.

A spokeswoman for the national probation service said: “This was an appalling crime and our thoughts are with the victim and his family.

“Serious further offences such as this are rare but each one is taken extremely seriously and investigated fully.

“A full review into this case is underway. Public protection is our priority and we will carefully consider the findings in this case.”

Speaking afterwards DC Ceri Spratt said: “This was an unusually violent incident to happen in a quiet, rural community.

“I am pleased with the sentence imposed and hope that it will in some way help the victim following what was undoubtedly an incredibly traumatic experience.”

In November 1993 charges against Acott, a former Chatham Dockyard apprentice, were dropped because of insufficient evidence.

The committal proceedings at Gravesham Magistrates Court went on for five days. A spokesman for the Crown Prosecution Service said magistrates had ruled there was no case to answer.

In December 1993 a decision to discharge Acott was overturned by a High Court judge sitting in private. In January 1994 Acott faced a judge at Maidstone Crown Court and the trial was set in July.

In August 1994 the jury retired but failed to reach a verdict and he was discharged.

The re-trial reopened at the Old Bailey in June 1995.