Farmer’s wife jailed for threatening balloonist with gun

A poultry farmer’s wife has been jailed for 18 months for threatening a man with a loaded shot gun who landed on her land in a hot-air balloon.

Mary Dring pointed the gun at one of nine passengers in the balloon after it landed on the chicken farm she runs with her husband in Towcester, Northamptonshire.

Mrs Dring swore at the balloonists, shouting: “Get off my land.”

She also threatened to set her dogs on the group after finding them gathered in her driveway, Northampton crown court heard.

The group fled after Mrs Dring poked the gun into one man’s chest.

David Matthew, defending, said Mrs Dring had no intention to use the gun.

“This was a very short loss of control,” The Sun reported

Mrs Dring admitted to having a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

Sentencing, Judge Michael Fowler said: “I must send you to jail because this was a real gun which you loaded and pointed at Mr Henley.