A MAN who yanked the hair of a teenager after she banged on the back of his car seat has been handed a conditional discharge.

Kevin Payne was issued with the 12-month order after jurors convicted him of assaulting Emily Joines, then 17, by beating her on January 8.

Oxford Crown Court heard the 56-year-old was travelling in the Volkswagen Golf with the victim when he pulled her hair after she banged her head on his headrest.

Sentencing on Wednesday, Recorder Nerys Jefford QC told Payne he was "irresponsible and unkind" before ordering him to pay £500 compensation to his young victim.

She added: "This was an isolated incident which involved a lack of judgement, albeit a serious one, but not one that is likely to reoccur."

During the trial, the court heard Payne was in the car with Miss Joines and others when a conversation started about a gun while they were driving around Banbury.

Payne was driven to his home where he picked up his lawful CO2 powered air rifle, before taking it into the car where it was discharged close to Miss Joines.

Jurors were told Miss Joines was left "shocked" and wanting to go home but started banging into the back of Payne's seat while on the way to their destination.

Payne, who did not ask his victim to stop, then hit her head and pulled her hair.

Following the trial, jurors acquitted Payne on July 7 of one count of possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear or violence.

Defence barrister Robert Lindsey told the court during sentencing Payne was "genuinely sorry" and wanted to apologise to Miss Joines, who was not injured during the assault.

Payne, of Howard Road, Banbury, was also made subject to a five-year restraining order, and told to pay £775 costs and a victim surcharge.

Recorder Jefford ordered the forfeiture and destruction of all Payne's firearms and ammunition seized by police at his request.