A masked gunman was seen strolling towards a primary school with two replica firearms, sparking mass shooting fears.
Ryan Brick, 36, wore a balaclava and carried fake shotguns. Passers-by were terrified as he marched with his dog through a housing estate towards a school.
A court heard that terrified witnesses dialled 999, armed police were dispatched, and roads were closed as officials believed he would carry out a school shooting in Connah’s Quay, North Wales, reports the Mirror.
Brick subsequently told officers that he tried to act intimidating to keep people away from his dog, which had attacked another animal earlier that day. Gareth Bellis, prosecuting, said: “Members of the public who saw him felt that something was not right, some were shocked. Various witnesses called 999.”
Mold Crown Court heard that his dog was tranquilised and Brick was arrested by armed officers after he was seen entering a house where several fake guns were seized.
Mr Bellis said: “In interview, he said he was taking his dog out for a walk and because of an earlier incident where his dog had attacked another dog, he had decided to take the guns out, to keep people away from him and his dog.”
Brick admitted possessing ammunition for a firearm without a certificate; possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence; and possessing an imitation firearm in a public place. Myles Wilson, defending said it was an “odd case” and Brick held “no grudge” against anybody but “for some reason has tried to make himself look as intimidating as possible”.
He added: “Why he did that is a mystery. It is almost the sort of thing a child would do.” Judge Parry said Brick had caused “havoc and real fear” by walking armed towards the school. He said: “It is indicative of the world we live in that members of the public could even imagine that there could be a mass killing of children at a school – but that’s the world we live in. Police resources were wasted, armed police were called and roads cordoned off.
“But the reality is this was a more pathetic scenario. You were ready to threaten anybody who didn’t like your dog – and that’s what it boils down to.” Brick was handed a six month suspended sentence and given drug rehabilitation requirements.
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