Man said 'get the police' after pulling out 'gun' at Cardiff Central railway station

Yahoo

2 days ago

An erratic and paranoid man took out an imitation firearm and pointed it at the sky at a busy railway station before he was heard saying: "You better get the police before I harm someone." When he was arrested by police at his home, a further imitation weapon was discovered.
Benjamin Stockham, 45, approached two security guards on the concourse of Cardiff Central railway station on July 3 last year in a distressed state. He told the two men he "needed protection" and asked them to phone the police.
A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court heard the guards believed the defendant was intoxicated as a result of his "erratic and paranoid" manner. For the latest court reports sign up to our crime newsletter.
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He told the men a county lines drug gang had taken over his home and that he and his partner needed to escape to a place of safety.
Prosecutor Abigail Jackson said Stockham was taken to a private room and the police were called, but when he was put on the phone the defendant became aggressive and left the room.
He was then seen walking back onto the station concourse on CCTV, and was heard saying: "If they hurt my girlfriend I'm going to kill them."
At that stage, Stockham took out the firearm which had the appearance of a "semi-automatic pistol" from the waistband of his trousers.
The defendant was then seen to cock the gun and point it to the sky. A homeless person nearby heard Stockham say: "You better get the police before I harm someone, I have a gun."
He was then seen to walk in the direction of the Principality Stadium but when the police arrived at the scene they were unable to locate him.
Stockham, of West Lee, Riverside, Cardiff, was arrested at his home in the early hours of the morning.
A search of the house resulted in the discovery of two imitation firearms, which were both found to be BB guns, but it could not be determined which weapon had been taken to the station.
The defendant later pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing imitation firearms with intent to cause fear of violence.
The court heard he has 10 previous convictions, for offences including common assault and threatening to destroy or damage property.
In mitigation, Nick Gedge said his client had been trying to seek help for problems surrounding drugs and alcohol, and has attempted to rebuild his life.
Sentencing, Judge Paul Hobson described the offences as "disturbing behaviour".
Stockham was sentenced to eight months imprisonment suspended for 18 months.
He was also made subject to a rehabilitation activity requirement for 15 days and ordered to carry out 150 hours unpaid work.
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