A 51-year-old man pointed a revolver at his son’s head as the teenager tried to protect his mother from an assault.

Gary Shafi was sentenced to five years in prison today for the attack in the family’s home in Braithwaite Avenue, Romford.

Shafi “flipped” at his wife, Susan, in their bedroom after she asked why he was not wearing his wedding ring, Snaresbrook Crown Court heard.

The husband and wife had been drinking together.

Gary punched Susan “three or four” times in the head before their 15-year-old son, Oliver, pulled him away from her. Mother and son hid together in Oliver’s room.

A short while later Gary returned to the room they had sheltered in and opened the door.

“He was holding in his hand a gun,” prosecutor Stephen Wells said, “which he pointed at his son’s head at a distance of 2ft away.”

Oliver saw his father’s finger on the trigger and recalled a conversation where Gary had bragged about owning the weapon and ammunition.

“The wife then jumped between father and son and the son then grabbed hold of the weapon and pointed it upwards and was able to wrestle it away from his father, after which the father went downstairs and left the house,” Mr Wells said.

When police officers arrived following the June attack they found Gary in his van.

Gary pleaded guilty on July 2 to affray, possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, and common assault.

The defendant has a previous conviction for a sexual offence against a girl under the age of 14 but no record of violence.

Judge Simon Wilkinson described the gun threat as a “particularly grievous offence” before sentencing the defendant five years in prison.

“You chose to arm yourself with a revolver after your son had prevented you causing further violence against your wife,” he said.

“Greater fear would’ve been caused to your son as you on an early occasion have had told him that you not only posses a revolver but a loaded one.”

Officers found the gun was not loaded and found no ammunition in the house.

Gary was also sentenced to four months in prison for the assault on his wife which will be served concurrently.

He must also pay a £120 victim surcharge.

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