Drunken Bill McGarry picked on the wrong man when he decided to act tough after a pub bash near his Dover home.

The 56 year old stormed off and returned with a realistic looking AK47 weapon which he then brandished at shocked revellers near the Royal Oak.

But the man facing him was Andrew Armitage – a former bodyguard in Afghanistan – who immediately twisted the weapon out of his hand, struck him over the head and disarmed him.

Now Judge James O’Mahony has praised Mr Armitage as: “a brave, strong, resourceful and gallant person” – before sending McGarry to prison.

Canterbury Crown Court heard how McGarry, of Lower Road, Dover, had become involved in some “pushing and shoving” after a night out in the pub in September 2016.

He then returned home and collected imitation firearm, a BB air-powered gun, before returning to the outside of the pub.

The court heard how when police later searched his home they also discovered a stun gun in a drawer.

Phil Rowley, defending, said an argument started when McGarry innocently began dancing with a woman during a social event.

“There were a number of people there. And McGarry believed there was some misunderstanding between him and Mr Armitage over his friendliness towards this lady.

“This lady said that she knew McGarry and his behaviour that evening was quite proper but a dispute arose which resulted in an altercation between a number of people.

“McGarry then responded poorly and foolishly and went home and picked up this BB gun, which in fact was inoperable.”

Judge James O’Mahony jailed him for 18 months after he admitted possessing the imitation firearm and the stun gun.

He told him: “You had far too much to drink before you got this fearsome looking weapon and brandished it at Mr Armitage.

“Fortunately Mr Armitage was a man who was brave, strong and resourceful and could look after himself. He was a gallant man.