A Dorset farmer who threatened to shoot a teenage boy he found inside his home has been ordered to carry out unpaid work. Stephen Smith, 60, of Studland, pleaded guilty to using threatening words and possessing ammunition without a certificate at Weymouth magistrates' court.
The court heard Smith woke at 3.40am on July 13, 2024, to find the boy inside his home. The teenager had been invited by Smith's daughter to watch the sunrise. Smith told him to leave, which he did, but the father-of-three expected an apology that never came.
The following evening, after drinking and watching England lose the European Championship final, Smith drove his tractor to the boy's home. He confronted the boy's mother, shouting, 'Get the f*** out of my way. F*** off b*tch,' and said, 'I should have shot him. F*** it, I'm going to get my gun and shoot you all.'
Neighbours witnessed the incident and police were called at around 11.30pm. Smith's lawyer said he had no access to his guns as he lacked the key to the cabinet, and that the threat was out of character. District Judge Orla Austin ordered 80 hours of unpaid work, plus costs and a surcharge.
