A pensioner armed with a rolling pin confronted a rabble throwing snowballs at his home - and then found himself before a crown court judge.

Retired engineer John Bottle, 72, became incensed after twelve youngsters tossed snowballs at his retirement home in Whitfield .

He put down the washing up, hid the wooden rolling pin up his sleeve “for protection”, then went outside to “ensure no more snowballs were thrown.”

A fight erupted where Martyn Bottle, his son, was punched in the face. When his wife called the police, the Bottles were arrested.

Bottle, of previous good character, was diagnosed with depression and anxiety as the trial date approached.

He denied making threats with an offensive weapon but pleaded guilty to possession of an offensive weapon before trial.

His son was acquitted of making threats with an offensive weapon at the same hearing when the Crown Prosecution Service failed to present evidence.

Judge James O’Mahoney told Bottle: “What a pity at the age of 72 that you have got a conviction for doing something very silly - having an offensive weapon in public.”

Prosecutor James Cartwright told Canterbury Crown Court: “On March 2 last year at approximately 7pm the defendant and the son and wife, who is in court now, were in their bungalow which is in Whitfield, a very quiet area, and there is an alleyway where Mr Bottle and his family live.

"What a pity at the age of 72 that you have got a conviction for doing something very silly..." Judge James O'Mahoney

“On that evening it had been snowing and a group of young people, 12 at least according to various reports, decided to enjoy the snow.

“It appears that at least 2-3 snowballs were thrown at the house.”

He explained Bottle, who had been washing up at the time, picked up the nearby wooden rolling-pin in case trouble started.

“He told police he wanted to protect himself,” the barrister continued.

“During the incident outside there was some sort of fight according to reports. His son was punched in the face.

“A few days later Mrs Bottle rang the police, the police decided to arrest the Bottles.”

The judge cut mitigating barrister Gregory Fisher short to announce Bottle would receive a 12-month conditional discharge.

“I very much doubt you ever will, but it means you mustn’t get in trouble during the 12-months,” the judge told Bottle.

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