PETERHEAD MAN GUILTY OF BRANDISHING IMITATION GUN IN DISPUTE
A man named Daniel Stewart, aged 24, was involved in an incident where he pulled an air pistol on a labourer and a 14-year-old boy during a dispute over noise while they were working on a fence.He approached the two workers on Lochside Road in Peterhead before extracting the handgun from his boxer shorts and pointing it directly at them, threatening, “I’ll make you shut up.”The victims then fled into a nearby property.According to prosecutor Katy Begg, the incident occurred on July 25, 2017, at approximately 11:30 am.Ms Begg explained that the man attempted to complain about the noise, and the accused, appearing to be in a “rage,” reached into his boxer shorts, produced a black handgun, and held it aimed at both individuals, stating, “I’ll make you shut up.” He then pulled back the tip of the gun, making a clicking sound as if loading it.
Fearing for their safety, the witnesses ran into the house they were working on.Subsequently, Stewart went to a neighbor’s house, showed the same gun, and stated, “I’ve just pulled this on some guys working on a fence down the road.”Police arrived, and Stewart, who was outside the property, appeared “highly agitated,” shouting, “Go on shoot me, just shoot me, I’m not afraid of you.” Officers restrained him after he struggled violently, and a gas-powered soft air pistol was recovered from inside the property in a plastic bag under a duvet.Stewart admitted to buying the gun “to use hunting rabbits” and said he was angry about “noise.” The firearm was capable of discharging 6mm BB pellets.He was described as being in HMP Grampian custody and pleaded guilty to assault by brandishing an imitation firearm, threatening violence, acting in a threatening or abusive manner, and failing to appear at court previously.
His defense indicated that he had overdosed on drugs and had a history of mental health troubles.
The sheriff, Morag McLaughlin, deferred sentencing for reports.
