A “hermit” who pointed an imitation handgun at a police officer who went to his home to check on him after he threatened to kill himself has been jailed for a year.

When officers arrived at Simon Bourdon’s home he refused to open the front door and when they threatened to force their way in he stood up and pointed a gun at one of the officers who was standing outside a window, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

The officer shouted: “Run. Gun” to his colleague and they ran for cover behind some bushes, said Matthew Sorel-Cameron, prosecuting.

“He feared the defendant was going to pull the trigger and turned and moved away from the window,” he said.

Bourdon was eventually arrested after another officer spoke to Bourdon on his mobile phone and the officer was allowed into the premises.

“It was in a bit of a state and the officer saw a half drunk glass of wine and bottles on the floor,” said Mr Sorel-Cameron.

The imitation handgun, which could be used to fire pellets, was found under a chair and there was a knife in a sheath on a table.

Bourdon, 53, of Main Road, Woolverstone, admitted possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence on October 23.

Mr Sorel-Cameron said two police officers went to Bourdon’s home at 9.40pm to check in his welfare after being told by his support worker he was threatening to kill himself.

Roger Thomson, for Bourdon, said his client was remorseful, embarrassed and apologetic for what he had done.

He said Bourdon had on-going mental health issues and at the time was living like a hermit with limited contact with other people.

Mr Thomson said the incident involving the attendance of police officers at his home was “a cry for help”.