Jailed: Man shot at police in Lake Vyrnwy incident

Richard Lawrence Alan Barnard, 44, of Llanwddyn, Powys, was sentenced to five years in prison at Caernarfon Crown Court following the firearms incident at Alltforgan, Llanwddyn, near to Lake Vyrnwy.

A spokesman for North Wales Police said: "We launched an investigation following an incident on Monday, January 21, at Llanwddyn, Powys, where a firearm was discharged at unarmed officers who had attended to assess his well-being.

"Barnard has been convicted of possessing a firearm (sawn off shotgun) with intent to cause fear of unlawful violence and acting in a manner likely to endanger aircraft by firing in the vicinity of an overhead police helicopter with a starting pistol."

DCI Gareth Roberts of Dyfed Powys Police said the officers who had attended had made sure no harm came to Barnard.

He said: “We welcome the sentencing that reflects the seriousness of the incident whereby our unarmed officers seeking to check Barnard’s welfare were shot at by a weapon that could only be assumed at the time to be lethal.

"The response was swift and the incident was managed effectively to ensure that no harm came to Barnard, officers or other members of the community. The officers initially attending are to be commended for their bravery in co-ordinating a response whilst under significant stress.

"We will continue our efforts to ensure that the criminal use of firearms remain infrequent and exceptional occurrences in our safe communities.”