THE manager of York Riding School got an air rifle and threatened to kill a kebab vendor in a row over money, a court heard.

Ibrahim Altin fled from Mario Marchi, 49, fearing for his life when the dispute got heated at Marchi's stables, said Andrew Jones, prosecuting.

Marchi went upstairs pretending to get some money, but returned with a .22 air rifle.

When his wife tried to intervene, the manager said: "Leave it, I will kill Ibbi (Mr Altin)."

On hearing these words, Mr Altin fled to his car and drove from the riding school at top speed to a nearby garage, said Mr Jones.

Marchi, of York Riding School, Wigginton Road, York, pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm with intent to make another fear unlawful violence.

He was fined £500 and ordered to pay £1,100 court costs at York Crown Court.

Recorder David Robson QC said the incident had been a dispute that had gone too far.

The gun was unloaded at the time and Marchi kept it legitimately for his son to use it for target practice.

Mr Jones said Mr Altin rented an office at York Riding School. He believed that he would also get a kitchen where he could prepare food before taking it to his kebab stand on Parliament Street.

But Marchi did nothing about a kitchen and after 12 weeks, on October 6, Mr Altin accosted Marchi in the office of York Riding School.

He tried to end his rent agreement and asked for his rent and deposit back, claiming that Marchi had been conning him.

Marchi refused to give the money back, saying Mr Altin had to give a month's notice.

Then he said "Just a minute, I'll get your money" and went upstairs to his living quarters. When he returned, he had the air rifle.

Police, alerted by Mr Altin, seized the gun the same day. Marchi claimed to them that Mr Altin had threatened him.

For Marchi, Michael Taylor said the money argument had got heated and fetching the air rifle had "produced the desired result," in that the argument had immediately stopped and Mr Altin had left the premises.

Mr Taylor said the York Riding School had recently hit hard times because of flooding, the foot and mouth crisis and road improvements nearby. The Marchi family, who lived there and ran it, drew £400 a week for living expenses.

Updated: 11:49 Tuesday, April 16, 2002