Laughing teenagers terrorised families by waving handgun around in Leeds city centre
Pair bought realistic-looking pistol and targeted police workers
Two teenagers terrorised families by waving a pistol around in crowded areas, including the food court in Kirkgate Market.
Ben Dickinson and Louis Glass were seen on CCTV laughing and pointing the handgun at passers by.
They were eventually detained by PCSOs after attacking one by firing the pistol at them and then throwing the weapon at him.
But largely due to their ages, they both avoided immediate custody at Leeds Crown Court this week.
Prosecutor Beth Richardson said the defendants, who are both 19, were in Leeds city centre on the afternoon of February 17.
It was half term and the city was filled with families and children shopping.
The pair bought a gas-powered black and brown BB pistol that looked like a genuine gun. They discarded the packaging and were seen walking through the busy food court in the market.
Glass was seen on CCTV, played to the court, pulling the gun out and pointing it upwards before putting it back in his coat. He had his hood up at the time.
They were then heard to fire the pistol, with a cleaner hearing a “pop noise”. They were confronted and said it was “only a BB gun” and walked away.
They were then seen on New York Street where Dickinson pulled out the pistol and pointed it towards a woman and her children.
They did not see him, but a passing motorist did, who was so shocked they dialled 999.
Footage was then screened to the court showing them outside Leeds Bus Station.
Dickinson was seen taking the gun from Glass, putting his hood up and point it towards passing members of the public and laughing.
After entering the bus station they saw PCSOs whom they verbally abused.
Dickinson then fired the gun in their direction. They were chased with Dickinson throwing the weapon and hitting an officer in the face.
He was detained and had gas canisters on him and a tub of ball bearings.
Glass was able to escape but was identified from the CCTV footage. He was arrested later that day.
Both gave largely no-comment interviews at the police station. They both have two previous convictions each, but none for weapons.
Dickinson, of Abraham Hill, Rothwell, admitted possessing a firearm with an intent to cause fear of violence and two counts of assaulting an emergency worker.
Glass, of Castle Lodge Mews, Rothwell, admitted carrying a firearm in public.
Mitigating for Glass, Conor Quinn said the teenager was now in full-time employment but conceded there were immaturity issues.
For Dickinson, Shila Whitehead said he was “taking the initiative to address his drink and drug issue”.
She said he had a stable family environment and was not heavily convicted.
Ms Whitehead added: “It would be right to give him an opportunity to show he will keep on the straight and narrow.”
Judge Mushtaq Khokhar told the pair: “It had the appearance of a real handgun. As to why you would buy such a handgun I have no idea at all.”
Dickinson was given a 12-month sentence, suspended for 18 months, with 30 rehabilitation days with probation to complete, and a 120-day alcohol abstinence requirement.
Glass was handed a 12-month community order with 100 hours of unpaid work and 25 rehabilitation days.