A JILTED lover rang the police to say he was going to shoot his girlfriend - and then told them who she was and where he was going.

When an officer found Darryl Badger, he was armed with a crossbow fitted with a bolt which he pointed it at his head.

At one point, PC Simon Warren heard a "clicking sound" as the 23-year-old held the weapon, Southampton Crown Court heard.

Prosecutor Frank Richardson described how Badger and his girlfriend Vicky Lawrence had been living in a tent during their two-year relationship, which began well but ended as he became increasingly jealous.

They were still together last November when she decided to go back to her mother's amid his suspicions that "something was happening with someone".

He told her that he might do something "stupid" but didn't know what.

In a "distressed state", he returned to his mother's home and told her what had happened. While there, he made the phonecall to the police.

Mr Richardson said: "He was very open with the police, saying everything that might locate him."

PC Warren drove down a cul-de-sac and saw Badger in his car on a track.

The officer realised that Badger had a small crossbow, which he refused to put down, and as he approached, Badger raised it towards his head.

The officer was "very frightened" and Badger warned him that if he got any closer, he would fire. Badger then became "agitated" and started talking about his problems.

Eventually Badger put the weapon on the ground and the officer jumped on it.

Badger, of Robin Grove, New Milton, admitted affray and possessing an offensive weapon, and was jailed for 15 months.

In mitigation, William Mousley said that no one had been injured, the incident was short-lived and the crossbow had not been cocked.

He added: "His problems have come about through alcoholism, which he is keen to tackle, and a personality disorder, which on occasions causes him to act impulsively."

Judge Lester Bootham told Badger: "I accept you didn't attempt to fire the weapon but the seriousness of the case is that a police officer wasn't to know that, and it must have been a frightening experience for him."