Niall Gray, aged 33, has been jailed for twelve months after pleading guilty to possession of an imitation firearm and behaving in a threatening or abusive manner. In March 2023, Gray fired a pistol-style BB gun at least three times towards woodland near a busy road in Galashiels, Scottish Borders. Gray was spotted by a passing taxi driver.

Police have appealed for information after a man was shot on a street in Salford, Greater Manchester. The victim’s injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

James Richardson, aged 32, has been jailed for two-and-a-half years after admitting possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, possessing cannabis and being concerned in the production of anabolic steroids. In April 2021, Richardson called at a man’s home in New Romney, Kent after being asked by a third party to “hospitalise and stab” him due to a dispute over property and money. Claiming he only wanted to scare the victim, Richardson fired a BB gun at least six times when the man answered the door. The man, who was hit three times to his hands, chased Richardson and struck him several times on the head with a garden rake. Richardson’s DNA was later recovered from the rake. The court heard that Richardson had been homeless and not taking his regular medication when he was manipulated into carrying out the attack. The victim is said to be suffering from acute anxiety, PTSD, and depression.

During a disorder in Reading, Berkshire, a woman allegedly sprayed a noxious substance at a man. She was arrested on suspicion of violent disorder and possession of a Section 5 firearm. No injuries have been reported.

It has emerged that, earlier this month, police officers were called in after a man at a nursing home in Lytham St Annes, Lancashire reacted violently to being told he couldn’t go out. The home went into lockdown and residents were taken into the cellar to hide as the man armed himself with a bow and arrow and went on a “wrecking spree”, breaking doors, throwing concrete blocks and setting off fire extinguishers. He also confronted police with the bow and arrow and was Tasered three times before he retreated into his room. Officers then broke into the room and restrained him. The court heard that the man was a voluntary resident at the home and that he had “flipped” when staff asked him to remain indoors because he had been drinking.

It has emerged that, in April 2023, police officers Tasered and arrested a man who brandished an axe in the foyer of a hotel in Woodbury, Devon. Click on media link to read full report.

Terence Clarke, aged 35 and from Liverpool, Merseyside, has been jailed for 26 years after admitting conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs and being convicted of conspiracy to possess prohibited firearms for sale or transfer. After the criminal messaging network, EncroChat, was decrypted in 2020, police recovered messages revealing Clarke had dealt drugs in large quantities and had been involved in selling trafficked firearms.

Police appealed for information after a man allegedly entered the garden of a home in Brigg, Lincolnshire and threatened another man with a suspected gun while demanding his car keys. No arrests have yet been reported.

It has emerged that, in August 2023, police officers Tasered and arrested a man following a five-hour standoff at a property in Stirling, Central Scotland. Police were called in after the man, who had been drinking and taking drugs, refused to leave the property when asked by his former partner. He threw furniture into the garden and brandished a machete at responding armed officers. He also made gun gestures with his hands and claimed to have a sword. He was Tasered and detained as he left the property and approached the officers “in a threatening manner”.

Following a campaign to encourage the public to hand in their guns, 53 firearms, including two illegal guns, air weapons and 23 BB guns, have been surrendered to South Wales Police. Ammunition and accessories were also handed in. A police spokesperson said, “Every gun given up is one less that can fall into the wrong hands.”