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Man jailed over nail gun fantasy Man jailed over nail gun fantasy
(10 minutes later)
A man who shot himself with a nail gun then pretended a gang had attacked him has been sent to prison after admitting perverting the course of justice.A man who shot himself with a nail gun then pretended a gang had attacked him has been sent to prison after admitting perverting the course of justice.
David Russell, 38, of Widden Street, Gloucester, told police he had been set upon by three men and shot seven times.David Russell, 38, of Widden Street, Gloucester, told police he had been set upon by three men and shot seven times.
He later pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice and at Gloucester Crown Court the judge jailed him for two-and-a-half years.He later pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice and at Gloucester Crown Court the judge jailed him for two-and-a-half years.
In court he was described as "a very convincing fantasist".In court he was described as "a very convincing fantasist".
Russell had claimed thousands of pounds in compensation, saying he was unable to work after being shot on 11 August - but police became suspicious of his account of the attack.Russell had claimed thousands of pounds in compensation, saying he was unable to work after being shot on 11 August - but police became suspicious of his account of the attack.
The court also heard that Russell - a man who told "audacious lies" - had made an identical claim in Bristol three years ago.The court also heard that Russell - a man who told "audacious lies" - had made an identical claim in Bristol three years ago.
'Sick joke''Sick joke'
Julian Kesner, prosecuting, said: "He injured himself twice, was operated on twice and, in connection with the first incident received over £4,000 from the criminal compensation board."Julian Kesner, prosecuting, said: "He injured himself twice, was operated on twice and, in connection with the first incident received over £4,000 from the criminal compensation board."
After the last incident in August, Russell was left with five two-inch (5.1cm) nails stuck in his ribcage - one an inch (2.5cm) from his heart - and two more buried in his forearm.After the last incident in August, Russell was left with five two-inch (5.1cm) nails stuck in his ribcage - one an inch (2.5cm) from his heart - and two more buried in his forearm.
Russell had told the police a mixed race man wearing a black and white bandana pushed a 10-inch (25cm) long orange and black nail gun against his chest and fired it repeatedly. He claimed the gang, which he described as two black youths and a mixed-raceman all aged in their late teens to early 20s, grabbed him from behind.
Russell had told the police the mixed-race man who was wearing a black and white bandana pushed a 10-inch (25cm) long orange and black nail gun against his chest and fired it repeatedly.
He said he had stumbled backwards and swung for his assailant in self-defence before two more nails were blasted into his arm.He said he had stumbled backwards and swung for his assailant in self-defence before two more nails were blasted into his arm.
He was taken to the Gloucester Royal Hospital, where doctors performed an hour-long operation to remove the nails the following day.He was taken to the Gloucester Royal Hospital, where doctors performed an hour-long operation to remove the nails the following day.
The nails hit his forearm with such force that the tips were bent as they hit the bone.The nails hit his forearm with such force that the tips were bent as they hit the bone.
Russell told reporters from his hospital bed that the attack was "like some kind of sick joke for these kids".Russell told reporters from his hospital bed that the attack was "like some kind of sick joke for these kids".
"These people must be caught and punished. It could have been my wife with our baby or anyone else innocently minding their own business," he said."These people must be caught and punished. It could have been my wife with our baby or anyone else innocently minding their own business," he said.