NEIGHBOURS of a man accused of firing a handgun at a father have given evidence in court placing him at the scene of the alleged crime.

William Muir, of Chillingworth Crescent, Wood Farm, Oxford, has denied possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life in an argument with a neighbour on July 29 last year.

Nigel Daley, prosecuting, said Muir fired a round from a Beretta gun at Darren Merchant. Mr Merchant responded by hitting Muir over the head with a broom handle.

At Oxford Crown Court on Tuesday, October 7, Paul Livingstone, who lives opposite Mr Merchant, said he heard a bang on the evening of July 29 which made him look out of his window. He said he saw Muir holding a large metallic object which he was trying to put something into.

Mr Livingstone said he heard Muir shout: "It's a real gun but I'm only firing blanks." The court heard Muir fired a further two shots towards Mr Merchant's house, before walking back towards his flat.

Mr Merchant then ran towards Muir with the broom handle and hit him.

Mr Livingstone said: "He hit him with incredible force. I thought he was going to take his head off."

Jo Sinnott, who was living with Mr Livingstone, said she also heard a bang and saw Muir holding a revolver-style gun, which he appeared to be trying to reload.

Kim Halsall, defending, suggested to both witnesses they had not seen Muir holding a gun.

But Miss Sinnott replied: "There was no doubt in my mind, there still is no doubt in my mind that there was a gun."

The case continues.