TEEN GUNMAN JACK PITCHFORD JAILED FOR THREATENING POLICE AND SCHOOLGIRLS
A 19-year-old teenager named Jack Pitchford displayed highly dangerous and aggressive conduct that caused alarm among both police officers and the public.Prior to the incident, he consumed alcohol and drugs, then charged at an officer while brandishing a pistol, shouting, 'Come on then pussy.' The police responded with PAVA spray and a baton, but his behavior intensified further.
He ran at officers again, pointed the firearm at two schoolgirls, and threatened to kill them.
Subsequently, he armed himself with a knife, and when one girl attempted to disarm him, he sliced her wrist.
Around 9:05 pm, police returned to the scene suspecting a young girl was inside the house.
Pitchford then emerged with the gun, pursued officers through the street, and aimed the weapon at them while shouting abuse.
Officers used PAVA spray and withdrew for safety reasons.
He retreated back into his house, which he had locked, but was eventually arrested after coming out, lying on the ground, still ranting and making threats, including an accusation that he intended to rape an officer's wife.
Police recovered the weapon, a gas-powered pellet gun, from his residence.
It was revealed that Pitchford had a history of threatening a young girl via messages, damaging her phone, and making threats to assault her stepfather and his partner.
He admitted to multiple charges, including two counts of sexual activity with a minor, possession of an imitation firearm with intent, assault causing actual bodily harm, malicious communication, criminal damage, and threatening behavior.
Judge David Fletcher described the police's ordeal as frightening and characterized Pitchford's conduct as cowardly, particularly noting his threats and violence.
He sentenced Pitchford to four years and three months in a young offenders' institution and ordered him to register as a sex offender for ten years.
