Man jailed at Derry Court for 'imitation firearm' offence

A man who was observed by CCTV operators waving an imitation firearm in the middle of Foyle Street in Derry has been jailed at the local Magistrate's Court today.

Sean Paul O'Neill (18) of Patrick Street admitted one charge of possessing an imitation firearm on July 31.

The court heard that police were alerted by CCTV operators about a man waving a firearm about at 3.30am.

The man was tracked to the Guildhall and police found the imitation firearm in O'Neill's waistband.

He told police it was 'a toy gun' and admitted he had been waving it about.

The gun was described as a BB gun and O'Neill agreed that someone watching could have believed it was real.

A defence barrister said his client had leaned 'a hard lesson' and while it did appear as a serious charge it was only a BB gun.

The barrister described his client's actions as 'foolishness'.

O'Neill was sentenced to 4 months in prison.