A 32-YEAR-OLD Wordsley man fired an air pistol into his kitchen wall during an argument with his partner that spiralled out of control.

Simon Mills first dented the fridge with his fist before picking up the pistol and, after waving it around, he shot a pellet into the wall, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.

David Bennett, prosecuting, said Mills got into an angry dispute with his partner of 17 years because he believed she was seeing another man.

Mills sent her threatening text messages after she had spent the night away from their home in Brooklands demanding to know where she was, Mr Bennett said.

Then, after she returned home the heated argument continued and he punched the fridge twice before firing the air pistol.

Mr Bennett said Mills was arrested later that day at a friend's house and he told police his use of cannabis had increased his paranoia about the state of his relationship.

Samantha Powis, defending, said it was a one-off incident that escalated out of all proportion and the couple were now happily reconciled.

Mills admitted harassment and was placed on Supervision for 12 months and also ordered to pay £200 towards prosecution costs.