A 77-year-old man has been handed a suspended prison sentence after pointing a loaded air pistol at his neighbours during a heated land dispute in Audley.
Glyn Minor, of Nantwich Road, Audley, pleaded guilty to two charges of possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence following the incident on September 14, 2023.
The court heard Minor terrified his neighbours by brandishing a black Smith and Wesson air pistol during an argument over a shared boundary and dumping asbestos outside their home.
His neighbour was left “disgusted” by his actions, while his neighbour’s adult son said was left shocked, scared and insecure following the confrontation.
The court heard Minor terrified his neighbours by brandishing a black Smith and Wesson air pistol during an argument
Minor received a 19-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and was made subject to a five-year restraining order prohibiting contact with his victims – except through solicitors regarding their ongoing civil dispute.
During the initial dispute over the dumped asbestos, Minor experienced chest pains and was attended to by paramedics who advised him to go inside and lock his door.
Instead, he pushed his neighbour to the floor during an acrimonious exchange, prompting a 999 call.
Minor then retrieved the air pistol from his house and pointed it directly at his neighbour, causing the victim and his son to flee into their home in fear for their lives.
MORE FROM THE WEST MIDLANDS:
A quick-thinking paramedic intervened by grabbing the weapon and removing its cartridge when Minor approached the ambulance (file photo)
PA
A quick-thinking paramedic intervened by grabbing the weapon and removing its cartridge when Minor approached the ambulance. The firearm was found to have eight chambers containing pellets.
Minor requested the weapon’s return, but the paramedic refused. Police later arrived to recover the firearm.
His defence lawyer, Catherine O’Reilly, told the court Minor had no previous convictions and was “deeply ashamed and embarrassed” by his actions.
Recorder Robert Smith told Minor: “You were as stubborn as a mule in refusing to heed the warnings and advice of the paramedics. You knew full well what you were doing.”
“You pushed your neighbour to the floor. You went back to your house, where you should have remained, if you had not taken leave of your senses.
“You came outside armed with a black revolver Smith and Wesson 586. It looks like a real gun. You held it in your right hand and pointed it directly at your neighbour. He was scared for his life.
“His immediate reaction was one of abject terror. He was looking down the barrel of a very real-looking gun.
“The paramedics took the firearm off you. You were arrested by armed police officers, at great expense to the public.”
The court treated the incident as “a one-off, a complete aberration” of Minor’s character.
In addition to his suspended sentence and restraining order, Minor was ordered to pay £250 compensation to his neighbour and £500 in costs – as well as the forfeiture of the air pistol.
