I fired shot at burglar alarm, tycoon admits

A tycoon today admitted firing a shotgun to disable the "annoying" burglar alarm next to his

Peter Shalson, said to be worth about £175 million, was filmed on security cameras climbing his neighbours' iron fence, smashing a glass back door and shooting the alarm control box inside.

The 53-year-old changed his plea a week before he was due to stand trial at Southwark crown court. He admitted possessing a firearm with intent to commit criminal damage, in Hamilton Terrace,
St John's Wood, on January 3 last year. Damage was caused to a window, door, lamp and alarm belonging to Norman and Cindy Dawood.

Residents told how they dialled 999 after hearing shots in the street.

A charge of burglary with intent to cause criminal damage, which he denies, will lie on his file.

Shalson, a keen hunter, was bailed until sentencing on March 28 on condition he does not contact his neighbours. Judge John Price said: "It is all very sad." Shalson transformed coathanger firm Braitrim into a packaging business and sold it, then went into the pub trade. He lives at the property with third wife, Polly. It is up for sale.