A FORMER Gunnislake resident who earlier this year fired a sawn-off shotgun at his estranged partner?s mother will serve an indeterminate period in prison, Truro Crown Court this week ruled. Wayne Courtis, 32, formerly of Russell Close, was told a sentence for the protection of the public was necessary because his crime was premeditated. Recorder Caroline Lister said Mr Courtis should serve at least four years ? parole would only be considered if the authorities were satisfied he was no longer a risk to the public. He will be on licence for a minimum of ten years. Mr Courtis had pleaded not guilty to possessing a shotgun with intent to endanger life, but was convicted by a jury in Truro last month. The court heard on January 6 this year, Mr Courtis went to Bedford Close in Gunnislake, the home of his former partner, Diane Courtis. Mrs Courtis had previously been married to Mr Courtis?s brother, Jason. The court was told Mr Courtis was angry because he said he was being denied access to his nephews. The jury heard Mr Courtis broke into the house and confronted Mrs Courtis and her mother, Linda Tomkins, with a gun. Mrs Courtis said: ?He was shouting repeatedly: ??Stand still, I am going to kill you?.? The two frightened women ran from the house ? Mrs Tomkins, giving evidence during the trial, said as she ran, Mr Courtis followed her with the gun, shouting he was going to kill both women. She told the court: ?He pointed the gun at me and fired at my head. It was burning, I thought he had hit my head.? Mr Courtis later claimed the gun had discharged accidentally. Before passing sentence, Recorder Lister said: ?Both these women were terrified when you confronted them. ?The outcome could so easily have been worse.? After the sentencing, Peter May of Devon and Cornwall Police said: ?These two women were lucky to escape with their lives. We could easily have been dealing with two deaths.?