Man dumps bag with fake gun in garden during police chase

A Bristol man who tried to conceal a rucksack containing drugs and imitation firearm from police has walked free from court.

Robert Scott fled from officers who were out on patrol on Stapleton Road on the afternoon of July 9.

The 44-year-old was seen entering a garden, but when he emerged officers noticed he was without his rucksack.

They managed to locate the bag and inside found a quantity of cannabis along with a ‘Tornado’ .44 super magnum BB gun.

In interview Scott, of Fitzroy Road in Speedwell, told police that he had enjoyed a round of target practice with his neighbour so much that he had gone out and purchased his own BB gun.

But on that day he’d gone out to buy groceries and forgot it was in his bag. Luckily, it was unloaded and without gas, which he couldn’t afford.

Scott appeared at Bristol Magistrates’ Court on Monday (July 25) where he pleaded guilty to possessing an imitation firearm in a public place along with possession of a Class B drug.

The court heard that he was a man of good character with no previous convictions, and although he was currently unemployed he had aspirations to become a lorry driver.

Scott’s defence solicitor said that he had moved to the UK two decades ago, and had sunk into depression as he lived ‘a fairly isolated life’ with his family so far away.

She said: “He has been using cannabis to self-medicate for the depression, although he has cut down significantly.

“The gun was not loaded and there was no intention to use it, he simply forgot it was there.”

Magistrates sentenced Scott to a 12 month conditional discharge along with an £80 fine for the drugs offence.

Presiding Justice Josephine Ramsden told him: “This might not sound like you’re being punished at all, but of course you are, as this is now hanging over your head.”

Scott was also ordered to pay court costs of £85 and a £32 victim surcharge.