Teen threatens to 'pop' father's face off with gun in front of young son

Brad Arnold, aged 18, of Verdon Crescent, Kates Hill, was sentenced on a range of charges including robbery at Wolverhampton Crown Court this week.

He had already been convicted on four other charges following a trial earlier this year.

Mr Richard Davenport, prosecuting, told the court the victim had taken his son to Dudley Leisure Centre for a swimming lesson in June last year and noticed a group of three teenagers laughing at him in the car park.

When the man returned to his car, a VW Golf, about 6:30pm with his son, the group approached him and Arnold, who was among them, showed him a bag he was carrying and told him: "It's a gun and I will pop your face off."

Mr John Evans, defending, said while there was a threat the bag contained a gun, there was never any evidence the weapon existed.

He said: "The victim saw something that could have been a gun but he wasn't going to argue...that's why he gave up possession of his motor vehicle.

"With an exchange of words the car was obtained and was then driven off and that was it."

Arnold 'is still growing up', Mr Evans told the court this week He said his client had plans to start his own car washing business.

Sentencing Arnold, Judge Challinor said: "I note that his son went running off in fear. This must have been a terrifying incident for him.

"Threatening there was not only a weapon, but a loaded firearm, this is very, very serious."

Arnold was sentenced to three years in a young offenders facility for the robbery, two counts of theft of a number plate, one of driving a vehicle without the consent of the owner, and theft of two mobile phones and a sat nav from a taxi.

Appearing alongside Arnold, Macauley Baddams, aged 18, of Baumbrook Close, Netherton, and Jordan Steinson, aged 19, of Norman Street, Dudley, were both sentenced to a 12 month community order and 150 hours of unpaid work for being carried in a motor vehicle without the consent of the owner, and the theft from the taxi.

Christopher Bill, aged 19, of Lister Road, Netherton, was sentenced to a community order with 12 months' supervision, a curfew, and has to attend a thinking skills programme, for driving a vehicle without the authority of the owner and the theft from the taxi.

Michael Bennett, aged 21, of St George's Road, Sledmere, was sentenced to five months' prison, suspended for 12 months, and 150 hours' unpaid work for being carried in a motor vehicle without the consent of the owner, and the theft from the taxi.