A YOUTH who fired a loaded shotgun at vehicles in Lostwithiel on carnival night, has been sent to a young offenders' institution for 16 months.

Thomas Ware, 19, from Lostwithiel, who was drunk when he shot at three vehicles parked on Millham Lane, was sentenced at Truro Crown Court on Wednesday last week.

"You have a bad record, not for firearms but four offences of criminal damage and two of public order," said Recorder Stephen Parish.

"You are a potentially dangerous person and will have to look at your conduct in the future if your offending is not to get much worse."

Ware, of Castle View, had admitted at an earlier hearing possessing a loaded shotgun in a public place and three offences of criminal damage to vehicles.

Prosecutor Elaine Hobson said that the shotgun had been stolen during a burglary on June 28 and came into Ware's possession.

Joshua Flynn was in his kitchen on July 18 when he heard two gunshots close to his home which caused him concern. He investigated and found his van window had been smashed and a tyre flattened. Two other vehicles had also been damaged.

Mr Flynn called the police and then saw a group of young men, one of whom had the weapon, and he returned home, fearing for his safety. Ware ran away from police officers but was arrested and the gun and a gun belt and cartridges were found on a hedge.

Christopher Nicholls, mitigating, said Ware had spent the last four months in Exeter prison and had gained certificates of achievement.

"He pleaded guilty at the first opportunity, and he had never been in custody before. It has had a salutary effect upon him. He has matured, and has already arranged that on his release he will move to an address in Liskeard.

"He has had a girlfriend for the past two-and-a-half years and they plan to marry. He wants to go back into education and get a job.

"He also acknowledges that it is drink that has led him into these stupid criminal damage matters.

"He is very sorry for the distress and upset he has caused his mother and girlfriend and for the damage he caused to the cars.

"He did not intend to cause anyone to fear for their safety," Mr Nicholls stressed.

"I asked why he did it and he replied: 'It was stupid, juvenile showing off'."

The Recorder ordered that the 121 days Ware had already spent in custody should count towards his sentence.

Lostwithiel's mayor Vic May said: "We are pleased justice has been done. The police did a good job and let this be a warning to people that they won't get away with it."

Speaking to the Cornish Guardian after the sentencing, Ware's mum Mandy Fox, 46, said her son was sorry for what happened and had learned a lesson.

"I just hope that people can be big enough to realise that Tom did something wrong and he's sorry for what he did," she said. "I have been to visit him every week. He went into prison a boy and he's become a man. He never wishes to go back to prison again."