A TEENAGE chef who shot his friend under the eye with an air rifle and then went on a drink-fuelled "rampage" in Cleobury Mortimer has been warned he faces a long time in custody.

Jake Arwand smashed windows with the butt of the weapon and then threatened to burn down his neighbour's house after he had been drinking, Worcester Crown Court heard.

Earlier in the evening of January 3, this year, the 19-year-old had been with friends at an address in Cleobury Mortimer, Rebecca Wade, prosecuting, told the court.

Friends said he had gone "a bit mad" and they were concerned when he got out his air rifle, she said. When one of them, Archie Jones, went upstairs to the toilet, Arwand said he was going to shoot him and stood waiting with his gun aimed at the foot of the stairs. When Mr Jones appeared, he shot him just under his right eye, laughed and said "that was a good shot."

Mr Jones thought he had been blinded in one eye and had treatment at a specialist eye hospital but has suffered no long-term effects.

Arwand and another friend, who was dealt with by magistrates, then went drinking and smashed windows in High Street, Cleobury Mortimer, with the butt of the gun at the Talbot and Stable Tavern pubs and a disused carpet shop. They were identified on CCTV.

Arwand, who later moved to temporary accommodation in the Worcester area, then went back to the house and when a neighbour asked him to keep the noise down, he threatened to burn down his house with his children inside.

Arwand, who represented himself, pleaded guilty to eight offences, including criminal damage, threatening behaviour, assault causing actual bodily harm, possession of cannabis and having a loaded air rifle in a public place.

He told the court he was still friends with Mr Jones and had apologised to him.

The case was adjourned until Friday, for him to get legal representation.

Judge Robert Juckes, QC, said Arwand had gone on a "rampage" and warned him he had committed serious offences carrying a significant sentence. He was remanded in custody.