Man found with fake handgun in Inverness told police he was arming himself for protection
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A 56-year-old man claimed to police his life had been threatened by youths so he was arming himself with knives for protection.
Alan Craig, of Muirtown Street, Inverness contacted the police on December 15, 2023 and arranged to meet officers in Baron Taylor's Street.
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The meeting took place but when Craig made his alarming confession about arming himself because of the threat, the police decided to search him.
Inverness Sheriff Court heard that instead of blades being found, the officers discovered a black imitation handgun. Craig previously admitted possessing the fake firearm in a public place but failed to turn up for sentencing in January.
He also pleaded guilty to that offence.
Defence solicitor Marc Dickson told Sheriff Rory Bannerman: "He has had difficulties with alcohol and was feeling vulnerable at the time.
"The item was a child's toy but if one was to have a fleeting glimpse at it, it could be mistaken for a genuine one."
Sheriff Bannerman told Craig, who also admitted previous convictions: "It was a foolish act to have an imitation handgun which would have been alarming to the people of Inverness.
"You are getting close to the end of the line by your offending and you could go to jail. But I am not going to do that."
He ordered Craig to carry out a total of 190 hours of unpaid community work and forfeited the imitation gun.
