A man who pointed a gun at police was told by a judge he was lucky to be alive - and was then jailed for five years.

Police almost shot Steven Bowman, 38, when he was waving a rifle loaded with a dum-dum bullet on a bridge over the M8 in Easterhouse, Glasgow.

The 2am confrontation brought firearms officers to the scene.

Bowman, of Garlieston Road, Barlanark, appeared at the High Court in Edinburgh for sentencing after having previously pleaded guilty to two charges of assaulting police by presenting a loaded firearm at them.

He also admitted breaches of the Firearms Act by having a rifle without a certificate and having prohibited "hollow point" ammunition.

In mitigation, defence QC Edgar Prais said: "He assures me he did not realise the gun was loaded. It was never in his contemplation to use the gun. He was under the influence of drink and drugs."

Judge Lord Clarke told Bowman: "Not only were the officers placed at risk, but you are probably fortunate your conduct did not result in serious injury, if not death."

The judge also made an order extending Bowman's licence conditions for two years, following his jail sentence.

The incident had started when a taxi driver walked into a police office and said his passenger had been threatened with what he thought was a shotgun.

As police took details, Bowman passed the open door and the taxi driver pointed him out.

Officers followed Bowman to the bridge and a CCTV video showed an officer with his weapon trained on Bowman as he put down the rifle, lay on the ground and allowed himself to be handcuffed.

After his arrest experts examined the rifle and found it was a .22 Remington, in working order.