Man brandished unloaded gun to threaten victim outside nightclub
A truck driver who threatened a man with an unloaded gun outside a nightclub was starting a five-year prison sentence today.
Daniel Pitt was wearing a hoodie when he was seen on CCTV to draw the pistol from his pocket or belt close to Vagabonds in Brierley Hill High Street, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.
As the 28-year-old left the scene he threw the handgun into bushes where it was later recovered by police, explained Mr Mark Phillips, prosecuting.
It was no more powerful than any other air weapon but was still capable of causing serious injury if fired at close range, continued the prosecutor.
Pitt had several previous convictions including a four-year jail term imposed in 2014 for possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and assault with intent to rob, the court was told.
Miss Chloe Ashley, defending, said he was determined to beat his drug habit and live a law abiding life.
Pitt, from North View Drive, Brierley Hill, admitted possession of a prohibited weapon after serving a four-year jail term.
Judge Dean Kershaw told him: “It was not to protect you because it was unloaded but it must have been to give you some sort of kudos on the street.
“You wanted to frighten someone into thinking it was loaded.”
