A Neighbourhood Watch founder threatened to shoot a teenager when he found him playing in a park after dark, a court heard.

Marcel Thorbourne allegedly approached a group of youngsters in Marsh Park, Cowley, last September and told them they should be at home.

He then produced a pistol and threatened to shoot Ian Anderson, a 19-year-old who was looking after them, a jury heard.

Thorbourne, 35, of The Links, Gillians Way, east Oxford, appeared at Oxford Crown Court charged with affray and possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence. He denied both charges, saying he was at home in the bath.

Nigel Daly, prosecuting, said: "At about 8.30 it began to get dark and Mr Anderson was thinking it was about time he was taking the children home.

"They began walking across the park when they became aware of someone watching them. A number of the youngsters recognised him because he lived in the flats nearby.

"The defendant approached them and stated they should be at home. Mr Anderson explained he was looking after them and for a short while this seemed to placate Mr Thorbourne. Then he turned round and approached them again. "He was seen to take something out of the jacket pocket he was wearing and one of the boys noticed it looked like a pistol. He put it to the side of Mr Anderson's face and threatened to shoot him.

"All this happened in the presence of a number of children."

When arrested, Mr Thorbourne told police that the children made up the story. He had recently started a Neighbourhood Watch scheme and they wanted to get him into trouble, he said.

The case continues.

Story date: Tuesday 11 May

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