Adam Ant escapes jail for pistol threats

Adam Ant escaped a prison sentence yesterday when a judge ruled that an incident in which he threatened drinkers with a replica pistol at a pub was the result of mental illness.

A handful of fans watched from the public gallery of the Old Bailey to see the singer, who found fame in the 1980s, being sentenced.

Appearing under his real name of Stuart Goddard, he had earlier pleaded guilty to the attack at the Prince of Wales pub in Kentish Town, north London. Goddard, 48, had gone to the pub intending to "pistol whip" the husband of a female friend but left when regulars mocked his clothes. He returned later, hurled a car alternator at the window and pulled out the gun when he was chased off by pub customers.

Yesterday, Judge Jeremy Roberts told Goddard he could have been jailed for the charge of affray, but his mental condition meant he did not fully understand what he was doing.

He sentenced Goddard to a 12-month community rehabilitation order and ordered him to pay £500 compensation to Plato Contostavlos. Mr Contostavlos was hit by the alternator and needed three stitches.