A JURY heard of the terrifying moments when a gun wielding man confronted 62-year-old Alma Scammell on her doorstep and drove away her car.

Mrs Scammell, a home carer, gave evidence at Salisbury Crown Court on Monday in the trial of Luke Coleman.

Coleman, 18, of Eastleigh Road, Devizes, pleaded not guilty to possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause Mrs Scammell to believe that unlawful violence would be used against her. He also denied taking her VW Golf car without her consent.

His co-accused, Ricky Wilson-Rose, 18, of Rendells Court, Devizes, pleaded guilty to the same charges.

Greg Richardson, prosecuting, told the court that Wilson-Rose and Coleman had been looking at cars as they walked along Longcroft Road, Devizes.

Mrs Scammell returned home to Longcroft Road after going shopping on February 12. While she was taking the groceries inside, Wilson-Rose confronted her in her hallway.

Mrs Scammell told the court: "There was a lad facing me with his jacket hood over his head. He said to me 'give me the car keys' and I said 'no.'"

There was a struggle and Wilson-Rose pushed Mrs Scammell while still demanding her keys but she pushed him out on to the driveway.

Wilson-Rose was pointing the imitation gun at her stomach and while Mrs Scammell was shouting for help, Wilson-Rose snatched the car keys from her and got into her car.

Mrs Scammell said: "I was so petrified. I just wanted him out of the house and away."

Neighbour Susan Baross tried to stop Wilson-Rose but he reversed off the driveway and drove off.

The police, with the help of the force helicopter, caught Wilson-Rose in Mrs Scammell's car on the A342 near Monument Hill 25 minutes later. In the car was the BB pistol, which a police expert said was a good replica of a Baretta nine millimetre gun, and a clip of ammunition.

Coleman walked away from the scene while Wilson-Rose threatened Mrs Scammell and he was arrested near the Fox and Hounds pub, when he denied being involved in the crime.

Wilson-Rose told police Coleman wanted to meet his girlfriend in Marlborough following an argument on the telephone the previous evening.

He said Coleman had no money or means of transport and they discussed stealing a car, with Wilson-Rose saying he would be able to do so.

Coleman, who had only met up with Wilson-Rose again for the first time in many years the night before the offence, said he thought Wilson-Rose was joking.

The court heard Coleman and his father called on Mrs Scammell the day after the offence to apologise.

The teenager, who is starting a carpentry apprenticeship in September, offered to do gardening and odd jobs for her but she refused.

The jury of seven men and five women returned unanimous not guilty verdicts on both charges against Coleman.

Sentencing on Wilson-Rose was adjourned until August.

He has been in custody since the offence and judge James Meston QC warned him that a prison sentence was a real possibility.

Detective Sergeant Simon James of Devizes police who investigated the offence praised Mrs Scammell, Mrs Baross and Julie Paradise, another witness.

He said: "They have had to deal with a serious incident of a man armed with a gun in a residential area. I give them the fullest credit for they way they acted and supported each other.

"Wilson-Rose left Mrs Scammell shocked and it has been a long period of convalescence for her."