GUNMAN CAUGHT IN TOWN AS HE WAITED FOR TAXI TO ARRIVE
Acquaintance saw weapon and called 999
A MAN with a replica handgun in a town centre was caught by police after they received a tip-off.
Khalid Jones was seen with the weapon in Cheadle High Street at 7.50pm on November 6, 2022.
Prosecutor Charlotte Morgan told magistres: “Members of the public called police to say they saw a man in possession of a handgun hanging around Cheadle High Street.
“Police attended and an imitation firearm was recovered.
“It was a gas-operated BB gun which was not loaded and did not have a gas cylinder.”
Jones, aged 31, of Belgrave Road, Longton, denied possession of an imitation firearm in a public place but was convicted after a trial held in his absence as he was ill.
The court heard he has previous convictions for possession of an offensive weapon and possession of a prohibited weapon.
Stephen Vasey, mitigating, said Jones had fallen out with his partner and went to stay with a friend.
Mr Vasey said: “He had taken the BB replica gun to go to a shooting range the next day. There was no gas canister, no ball bearings with him.
“He saw an old acquaintance and asked him if he could give him a lift to Stoke. The person saw the handgun and told Jones he would call a taxi. But he telephoned the police.
“Jones was waiting. The police approached and asked him to remove his hands from his pockets. He duly obliged. The replica gun was seized.”
Mr Vasey added: “He accepts being in possession is a criminal offence. He does not have to have any intent.”
Jones was handed a two-year community order with a rehabilitation activity requirement for 20 days at North Staffordshire Justice Centre.
Magistrate Chris Rushton said: “This could have developed into a particularly nasty situation.
“It was classed as an imitation firearm but it could fire ball bearings.
Fortunately for you, there was no gas attached to it.”
Jones was fined £200 and ordered to pay £650 costs and a £114 surcharge. Magistrates made a deprivation order for the weapon.