A Spalding man who pointed an imitation firearm in the direction of parents and children on their way to school was sentenced to a two-year community order.
Richard James Clarke (59) was arrested after armed police officers rushed to his home in Cathedral Drive following calls from members of the public.
David Eager, prosecuting, said the incident occurred just after 8.30am on February 5 when two witnesses reported seeing a man with what appeared to be a firearm in his front living room.
Mr Eager told the court Clarke appeared to be pointing the weapon in the direction of parents and children who were on their way to school, and mimicking shooting actions.
“It caused obvious distress to those who did not know it was not a real firearm,” Mr Eager added.
The court heard Clarke was immediately compliant with the armed officers and confirmed he was the owner of a 6mm BB gun.
During interview Clarke claimed to be cleaning the weapon but police found no cleaning equipment.
Clarke reluctantly agreed to raising and lowering the weapon which a police firearms expert described as very realistic.
Mr Eager confirmed there was no history or background to Clarke’s use of the weapon and said it appeared to be an “inexplicable error of judgement.”
Clarke, of Cathedral Drive, Spalding, admitted possessing an imitation firearm on February 5, 2024.
Rebecca Freitas, mitigating for Clarke, said he had suffered from mental health problems since his mother’s death.
Ms Freitas told the court Clarke wanted to work with the Probation Service and accepted his actions had caused distress.
“He wishes to apologise for his behaviour,” Ms Freitas added.
Passing sentence Judge Catarina Sjolin Knight told Clarke that “something pretty inexplicable seemed to have happened.”
Judge Sjolin Knight said two independent witnesses described Clarke raising and lowering the gun in the direction of carers and parents taking their children to school.
“People were caused alarm as they did not realise it was not a real firearm,” Judge Sjolin Knight added.
Clarke was given a two-year community order and must also complete 40 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 100 hours of unpaid work in the community.
Judge Sjolin Knight told Clarke the leniency of his sentence was unusual for such an offence, but said she was satisfied there was nothing in the run up to the incident.
