A GRANDFATHER who was spared jail after threatening bailiffs with a toy gun told how he has no regrets over his actions.

Danny Williamson, 55, armed himself with the metal replica Colt 45 revolver when two “laughing” enforcement agents banged on his door demanding money over an alleged speeding fine.

He claimed to know nothing about the alleged offence - carried out 16 months earlier - and feared items would be seized from the Canvey home he shared with long-term partner Linda Murray, 50.

The bailiffs also threatened to seize his 2003 BMW 3 Series car, worth £2,000.

Instead of trying to resolve the issue, he went upstairs to fetch the £125 replica gun he bought for this three grandchildren to play with.

The Echo revealed yesterday Mr Williamson narrowly avoided a prison sentence - but he stands by his actions.

The carpenter, now of Redgrave Road, Basildon, said: “I don’t regret it because I was protecting my girlfriend’s property and my car.

“I got the gun because it is better than a knife. A knife can only cut you.

“They didn’t know the gun was an imitation, but that is the whole point. It looks realistic and would have been no use if they knew it was fake.

“They said in court they were petrified but they were both outside the house laughing on the phone.

“When the armed police arrived it was frightening.”

After pleading guilty to possessing an imitation firearm, Mr Williamson was handed a 12 month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.

The father-of-two will appear at Basildon Magistrates Court next Thursday to appeal the alleged speeding offence, carried out on Canvey in March 2015.

He said: “If I had I received the fine I would have paid immediately and all this would have been sorted. My life’s been turned upside down. I haven’t slept properly since it happened.

“If I’m found guilty next week they might lock me up. All for a speeding fine. The whole system stinks.”