A man was almost Tasered by police after he was caught wandering around with a fake handgun and plastic handcuffs.
Four Hall was seen on CCTV walking around an area of South Shields and acting in a "strange manner" whilst in possession of what appeared to be a handgun. When police arrived, Hall - who was wearing a balaclava - was then "red-dotted" with a Taser before being arrested.
The bizarre incident happened on December 12 last year - not long after Hall, 36, had been released from a nine-month prison sentence for two counts of possession of an imitation firearm.
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Hall, formerly of Warkworth Avenue, South Shields, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court on Tuesday to be sentenced for possession of an imitation firearm. He had pleaded guilty to the offence.
Omar Ahmad, prosecuting, said: "Hall was seen on CCTV acting in a strange manner carrying what appeared to be a handgun. The police attended and approached the defendant who was in a balaclava and holding plastic handcuffs."
When Hall told the officer to "get back", the officer "red-dotted" him with his Taser and arrested him. Hall said he had been carrying the handcuffs for "self-defence".
Mr Ahmad said the imitation firearm Hall was carrying had the appearance of a "black Glock-style air pistol which he'd partly covered with black electrical tape, which made it look like a real gun.
The court heard Hall had 41 previous convictions for 73 offences and had been given a nine month prison sentence last year for possession of an imitation firearm.
Stuart Graham, defending, said Hall had been in some "dark and difficult places" and that he was seeking "help and assistance at that time". He said: "He is healthy and articulate today. He's an intelligent man and it was a shame it had to resort to this." Mr Graham urged the judge to pass a community order.
Sentencing Hall, Recorder Nolan KC sentenced Hall to a two year community order and ordered him to carry out 30 rehabilitation days and 19 sessions of a thinking skills programme.
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