A terrified social worker had a gun barrel placed between his eyes after knocking on a young thug’s front door.
Charles Cameron wordlessly pulled the trigger with an audible click as his victim reeled back in horror.
The incident unfolded in front of shocked neighbours, who contacted the police in panic after witnessing the teen’s attack.
Perth Sheriff Court heard the social worker had visited Cameron’s home in Rannoch Road, Perth, to offer assistance after he missed a scheduled meeting.
It emerged that the weapon wielded by the accused was an empty BB gun, although his victim had no means of knowing that, such was the speed of the incident.
No indication was given of whether Cameron himself was aware that the firearm was unloaded before pulling the trigger.
He was apprehended later that day and the BB gun recovered.
He told police that the social worker had lied about the incident.
Depute fiscal Chris MacIntosh told the court: “Mr Cameron was due to have met the social worker for a pre-arranged meeting but did not attend.
“The social worker went to the accused’s home and knocked on the door to see if he was in.
“The accused answered the door after a short time and immediately placed what the complainer believed to be a pistol between his eyes and pulled the trigger.
“The complainer stepped back in fright.
“This incident was viewed by a neighbour, who found it thoroughly shocking and begged the accused to stop.”
Cameron replied that he did not care if the police were called or if he was “put in jail”, before slamming the door.
Cameron, 18, admitted assaulting a man in the common close of a property in Rannoch Road on January 24 by presenting a BB handgun to his face.
He will return to court for sentencing today when other cases against him are due to call.