Youth in court over 'gun'

A teenager who waved about an imitation firearm in a Shrewsbury coffee bar, prompting armed police to respond, was told today by a magistrate it was a "stupid act".

Logan Watkins, 18, of Linley Avenue, Pontesbury, was sentenced at Shrewsbury Magistrates Court after he admitted possessing an imitation firearm in Starbucks in The Square.

Watkins was today given a 12-month community order including 70 hours unpaid work and a six-month supervision requirement.

He was also told to pay £60 costs and was told the black BB Airsoft pistol, which is manufactured by Gloch, would be destroyed.

Mr John Barnett, prosecuting, said Watkins was arrested following the incident on March 26 when he was seen by at least three members of the public.

The court heard armed police were called to the cafe on the day and plain clothes officers arrested Watkins along with a 17-year-old youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

Both Watkins and the youth admitted the charge.

The youth was earlier sentenced to a six-month referral order and ordered to pay £60 costs.