Eighties new wave artist Adam Ant admitted in a British court to threatening customers at a London pub after they teased him about his appearance.

Reuters reports that Ant, whose real name is Stuart Goddard, pleaded guilty in a London court to the charge of affray. Affray is a British legal term covering any threat of unlawful violence towards another.

The customers of the pub laughed at Goddard's cowboy attire and mocked him by humming the theme song to Clint Eastwood's western, "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly."

Ant left the bar but returned later armed with a starting pistol that he said was a wartime heirloom belonging to his father, lawyer David Tomlinson said.

After Ant threw a car alternator through the pub window, hitting a local musician, some of the patrons chased him down the street.

"But he pulled out the gun, which they thought was genuine, and threatened to shoot them if they didn't back up," Tomlinson said.

The singer was spotted a half hour later hailing a cab, and police arrested him.

In interviews with police, Ant said he threw the car part through the window to attract the attention of the husband of a market trader who'd been harassing him. The singer said he intended to get the man out of the pub to "pistol whip" him.

Sentencing will be delayed until Oct. 2, in order for the preparation of psychiatric assessments. Two other charges related to the incident last January - included criminal damage and assault and possession of an imitation firearm - were dropped.

His band - Adam and The Ants - sold more than 15 million records in the 80's, powered by hit songs such as "Goody Two Shoes," "Stand And Deliver" and Prince Charming."

-- with files from AP