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Gun threat teenager pleads guilty | Gun threat teenager pleads guilty |
(about 15 hours later) | |
A teenager aimed what appeared to be a semi-automatic gun at a BBC reporter as he thought it was funny, a court heard. | A teenager aimed what appeared to be a semi-automatic gun at a BBC reporter as he thought it was funny, a court heard. |
The 17-year-old, who can not be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to firearms offences at Poole Youth Court. | |
The court heard how the teenager aimed the weapon, a BB gun, at reporter Emma Douglas as she filmed at the start of the government's Respect Zone campaign. | The court heard how the teenager aimed the weapon, a BB gun, at reporter Emma Douglas as she filmed at the start of the government's Respect Zone campaign. |
District Judge Roger House said the boy would be sentenced following reports but would not face a custodial term. | District Judge Roger House said the boy would be sentenced following reports but would not face a custodial term. |
Miss Douglas had been accompanied by a youth worker from the council, Martha Searle, at the time. | Miss Douglas had been accompanied by a youth worker from the council, Martha Searle, at the time. |
As she was filming a youth pulled out what appeared to be a firearm and pointed it at her before running off. | As she was filming a youth pulled out what appeared to be a firearm and pointed it at her before running off. |
'A silly prank' | 'A silly prank' |
Tessa Cordy, prosecuting, said the youth had told police he "thought it would be funny to aim at them". | Tessa Cordy, prosecuting, said the youth had told police he "thought it would be funny to aim at them". |
She added: "He pointed it directly at Miss Searle and the person operating the camera for four to five seconds, laughing as he did so. | She added: "He pointed it directly at Miss Searle and the person operating the camera for four to five seconds, laughing as he did so. |
"She felt surprised by the action, but didn't feel threatened as the action seemed so bizarre." | "She felt surprised by the action, but didn't feel threatened as the action seemed so bizarre." |
After the incident was broadcast on TV on 22 January, the teenager informed his grandfather who contacted the police. | After the incident was broadcast on TV on 22 January, the teenager informed his grandfather who contacted the police. |
Harvey Withecombe, defending, told the court: "This was one of those offences that starts as a silly prank that gets built out of control. | Harvey Withecombe, defending, told the court: "This was one of those offences that starts as a silly prank that gets built out of control. |
"It is now dawning on him how serious it was." | "It is now dawning on him how serious it was." |
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