Blackpool carer brandished imitation firearm after row between girlfriends led to fight between group of men

Sessions House Court heard carer Alexandru Ion, 26, of High Street, Blackpool, pulled the BB gun out when his companion was punched during the row, which had started after the men's girlfriends had had an argument.

During the incident in the early hours of May 20, 2019, Ion went to victim Stelian Glav's home with another friend to try to 'sort things out' after the womens' tiff, but a group of men were there.

Holly Nelson, prosecuting, said: " It evolved into a physical confrontation with punches thrown."

The court heard when Ion's friend was hit, he pulled the gun from his pocket.

Miss Nelson described how Mr Glav saw the gun and tried to push him away before rugby tackling Ion to the floor.

During their grapple on the ground for the weapon, Mr Glav suffered three fractures to his ankle, which later required surgery.

The court said Ion accepted he had brought a BB gun with him because he believed they may be outnumbered but that it was not discharged or loaded with ammunition.

He pleaded guilty to possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

Defending, Bunty Batra said he had never intended to cause harm, adding: "It's an unpleasant injury that came about as a result of them grappling over the firearm."

Ion was given 12 months in jail, suspended for two years, with 200 hours of unpaid work and a rehabilitation requirement.

Recorder Alex Leach accepted he had shown remorse but said: "He could not have known whether that gun was real or whether it was loaded, and he describes fearing he may be shot.

"He grappled with you in an attempt to take it from you."

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