And Daft

Gun prank teen told police: " I was drunk"

A regular at a Blackpool off-licence produced an imitation gun in a drunken prank.

Teenager Benjamin Hudson had been in the shop about six times earlier that day, without buying a thing.

He had his hood pulled down over his eyes in an apparent attempt at a disguise only to be told by a female assistant: "Don't be daft Ben, I know it's you. There's a kid in the shop".

Nineteen year old Hudson of First Avenue, Blackpool, pleaded guilty to affray and also possessing an imitation firearm.

The offences were in August last year at an off-licence on Easington Crescent, Grange Park in the resort.

Mr Charles Brown, prosecuting at Preston Crown Court, said the defendant had been known to a woman working at the premises for over a year.

He went into the shop around half a dozen times that day, without buying anything.

Hudson had appeared unsteady on his feet and his speech was garbled.

That evening she and another member of staff were behind the counter when the teenager walked in.

Two other customers and a young child were in the shop.

Mr Brown told the court: "The defendant was stood there.

"He pulled a handgun from his pocket, but did not completely take it out.

"He had his hood down over his eyes in an apparent attempt to conceal his identity".

He didn't say anything, but a woman working there said: "Don't be daft, Ben, I know it's you. There's a kid in the shop".

A customer said: "Don't do it".

Hudson replied: "How do you know it's me?".

He walked to the door and later left.

Following arrest he told police: "I was drunk. It was a joke really".

Mr Stuart Denney, defending, said it had been an utterly foolish prank.

The weapon, a pellet imitation firearm, had not been pointed.

"If there's one place in Blackpool where he would be instantly recognised, it was this shop.

"Having been told to desist, he left the premises immediately and then hung around outside, waiting should the police come.

"He is ashamed and embarassed about what he has done.

"He has offered his sincere apologies".

Hudson was given 26 week detention, suspended for two years with two years supervision and 60 hours unpaid work.

Judge Stuart Baker told the defendant: "You would have to be completely unaware of what is going on in the community at this time not to be conscious of the real concern that there is at all levels of society, about people who carry guns or imitation guns."