A deranged gunman who threatened a neighbour with

A deranged gunman who threatened a neighbour with a loaded
sawn-off shotgun walked free from the Old Bailey today (thus).

Stephen Baker, 28, pointed the fearsome weapon at Mr Malcolm
Ellery’s stomach from point blank range before suddenly turning
and blasting a nearby car.

He then fled and was arrested later by police near his home
in Norvic House, Waterhead Close, Erith, Kent, where the drama
had unfolded.

In court, Baker admitted having the firearm while committing
criminal damage and related firearm charges.

But Judge Neil Denison QC took pity on him after hearing that
the terrifying shooting occurred on the first anniversary of his
four-month-old daughter’s tragic death.

In the months before the clash, Baker had become increasingly
deranged with depression and spent the day of the shooting
beside the little girl’s grave.

Baker, who sobbed in the dock as reference was made to his
daughter, was sentenced to two years probation.

The court was told the gun clash happened in the early hours
of March 26 last year when Baker joined a shouting match between
two neighbours outside Norvic House.

Baker ended up arguing alone with Mr Ellery, 34, then pulled
out a pistol, announced that he ‘meant business’ and let off a
shot into the night.

Unknown to Mr Ellery, the pistol could only fire blanks, said
Mr Rupert Pardoe, prosecuting.

‘Mr Ellery said he was not going to be scared.

‘Baker returned to his flat and returned with the sawn-off
double barrelled shotgun, which he pointed at him at waist
height in the direction of his stomach.

‘Mr Ellery walked towards him and pushed the gun away, saying
he was not scared of it.

‘
Baker then turned the gun to a nearby car and shot out the
windscreen.

He then disappeared before the police, who had been called by
neighbours, arrived on the scene.

When arrested, Baker initially ‘led police a merry dance’ by
giving a false name and posing as a public-spirited bystander
who would lead them to the gunman.

At the first opportunity, he fled but was arrested later at
his flat.

In court, jobless Baker admitted having a firearm while
committing criminal damage and possessing the weapon whilst
prohibited.

The judge was told he had previous convictions for firearm
possession.

Miss Wendy Joseph, defending, said her client had been
deranged with grief at the time of the incident but had now
made a full recovery.

‘In 1989 Baker became infatuated with a young woman and
went to live with her.

‘He was in prison when their baby girl was born.

‘That baby died suddenly when she was four months old, which
Baker could not possibly have prevented, even if he had had his
liberty.

‘
Her family blamed him for the death and tried to have him
removed as her father on the child’s birth certificate, the
court heard.

‘Baker became suicidal and clinically depressed.

‘On the day of the offence, it was the anniversary of the
death and he went to her grave with the intention of committing
suicide.

‘
The shotgun had been given to him by Mr Ellery, explaining
his courage when faced with it, counsel alleged.

Judge Denison told Baker: ‘These offences were committed when
you were under very severe psychiatric stress and suffering from
clinical depression.

‘You have already served very nearly a two year jail term.

That allows me to offer you one last chance.

‘
Baker did not react as he was sentenced to two years probation
with a condition that he receive psychiatric treatment.

ENDS