TEENAGERS who threatened a former friend at gunpoint before attacking him and others in a spree of violence have both been jailed.

Joshua Buchanan armed himself with pal Ayrton Greenfield's air rifle as the two of them launched the terrifying attack on the young man.

The 19-year-old's went to Buchanan's mum's house in Royal Wootton Bassett to try and throw out her lodger, who they had fallen out with.

After threatening Ashley Masterson with the gun, which though not loaded was fired during the incident, the teenagers forced him outside where they assaulted him.

Buchanan first struck him to the face with the butt of the rifle before both punched and kicked him when he was on the ground.

The pair then went to the nearby home of another man they had fallen out with and after threatening to throw bricks at his house they lured him away and attacked him.

Colin Meeke, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court that Buchanan's mum Julie had put up her son's friend Masterson at her Showground home.

But the defendant fell out with the lodger and decided to try and get him out leading to the confrontation at about 10pm on Saturday, January 10.

He went to the victim's room where he was in bed and, brandishing the gun said 'Get out of my house the easy way or hard way'.

As he pointed the weapon Greenfield added to the threats saying 'Josh doesn't need the gun: he's got me'.

During a brief standoff the gun was fired, but no pellet was ever found, and after Mr Masterson left the pair attacked their former school friend in the street.

Buchanan then assaulted Mr Masterson's friend Billy Taylor, hitting him with the barrel of the gun, before they left in what Mr Meeke called 'a hyperactive state'.

They then went to the family home of another lad Greenfield had fallen out with over comments on Facebook.

After lying in wait until he returned they threatened to throw bricks at the property to lure him away before both repeatedly punched him, only fleeing when he fought back.

The pair admitted possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and two counts of causing actual bodily harm while Buchanan also admitted common assault.

Ronan McCann, for Buchanan, of Horseshoe Crescent, Peatmoor, said his client had been badly affected by the break up of his parent's marriage when he was just 12.

He said his mother also had medical issues which meant he was very protective of her which led up to the incident with Mr Masterson.

Andrew Eddy, for Greenfield, of Worlidge Drive, Shaw, said his client, who works for his parent's company, had shown 'genuine remorse' for what they have done.

"This can only be seen as a moment madness in this young man's life. He is deeply sorry for that," he said.

Passing sentence Recorder Marcus Davey said: "At the time both of you were in possession of an air rifle.

"Ayrton Greenfield, it was your weapon, it came from the boot of your car but it was you Joshua Buchanan who was carrying it and wielding it about.

"I accept for the purpose of this sentencing exercise that it was not loaded but it was discharged within the property.

"It must have been absolutely terrifying for all those who witnessed it because they would not have known it was not a loaded weapon.

"Firearms simply cannot be tolerated upon the streets and I have come to the view, with reluctance and with regret given your ages, that despite your pleas of guilty for which I give you credit, only an immediate sentence of detention can be justified in your cases."

He jailed Buchanan for two-and-a-half years and Greenfield, who he said played a secondary role, for two years.