The hot air balloon landed on one of the Beech House Farm's fields A Northamptonshire woman has been jailed for pointing a loaded shotgun at a passenger in a hot air balloon which landed on her chicken farm. Marie Dring, 50, loaded the weapon and pointed it at Martin Henley shouting "get off my land" on 12 September, Northampton Crown Court heard. Dring, of Pottersbury, near Towcester, admitted possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear. She was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment by Judge Michael Fowler. Prosecutor James House said Mr Henley and his wife had been bought the balloon ticket ride as a present by their children. The pair were in a group of nine passengers who had left Northampton Racecourse in the balloon. Bottles of whisky and champagne were handed over

James House, prosecutor Mr House told the court balloonists seek permission to land but it could be a "hit or miss affair," and it was not known if permission had been granted to come down on the Drings' land. Pilot David Griffin was approached by Dring's brother-in-law who jointly farms the land, the court heard. "It is right to say he was unhappy. Mr Griffin spoke to him and apologised and bottles of whisky and champagne were handed over," said Mr House. The brother-in-law then rang Dring and her husband, who were out at a restaurant, and told them what happened. Dring returned to the farm and was "extremely angry", the court heard. 'Genuinely remorseful' Mr House said she had driven up to Mr Henley as he walked to a car which had been following the balloon to fetch a jumper. "The defendant was the only occupant and the window was down," he told the court. "Mr Henley saw a double barrelled shotgun pointing out of the driver's window." The court heard Dring told Mr Henley to get off her land and swore at him. Mr Henley put his hands up in the air and walked off with Dring driving behind, making slight contact with him, Mr House said. Defence barrister David Matthew said Dring was concerned about the threat of the balloon to her livestock. She was genuinely remorseful, he said.



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