Violence Antidepressants 31/08/2006 England Man Receives One Year in Prison for Waving Airgun at Teen-Ager's Head Summary:

Paragraph 13 reads: "He said he was on anti-depressants and his family had been pushing him into an arranged marriage."


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Jail for man who waved airgun in teenager's face

Aug 31 2006

 

A 25-YEAR-OLD man who pointed an airgun in a teenager's face has been jailed for a year.

Shazad Ahmed pulled an air gun twice on the boy in Tilehurst before dumping it under a bush following a police chase.

Ahmed of Waldeck Street, Reading, pleaded for leniency in Reading Crown Court on Tuesday, but was told by the judge a prison sentence was the only option for such a serious offence.

The court heard how Ahmed had been passing a park with a friend at around 10pm, in November 2004.

Ahmed, who now has a young daughter, challenged a group of chatting teenagers, aged 15-17, and argued with a young girl.

He then asked a boy why he was looking at him and pulled the weapon from his waistband shoving it in the shocked boy's face and stomach. Ahmed sauntered off but later returned to threaten the same terrified teenager with his gun.

Prosecutor Ashley Gordon said: "He was told to calm down, that it wasn't America and he said, 'Do you want me to make it America?'"

But Ahmed was startled by the flashing lights of police cars, who had been alerted earlier by the young people.

He fled through the park pursued by the officers and was later arrested at his home.

His Gamo PT Model 80 .177 calibre air pistol, which had five pellets in its magazine, was later recovered from under a bush.

Ahmed, who addressed Judge Zoe Smith in a hushed voice, said: "I know it was stupid and out of order.

"If I could turn back time I wouldn't have done it. I am really sorry."

He said he was on anti-depressants and his family had been pushing him into an arranged marriage.

But Judge Smith said: "This must have been an extremely frightening incident for those people, seeing you with the weapon in your hand.

"You must appreciate this is so serious only a custodial sentence will be appropriate."

Ahmed was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment for one count of possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence