A MAN has appeared in court charged with threatening members of his family with an air rifle.

Dean Hopkins, of Bargates in Christchurch, was charged after an incident in Barrack Road on Friday, February 21.

The defendant, 30, appeared at Poole Magistrates' Court on Monday morning.

He is charged with affray and having an imitation firearm.

Hopkins has not yet entered pleas to the two charges against him.

He was remanded into custody and will next appear at Bournemouth Crown Court on March 26 for a plea and trial preparation hearing.