A 12-year-old boy was left terrified, believing his life was in danger, after a man pointed a paintball gun directly at his head during a confrontation in a Staffordshire town centre.
Confrontation Escalates to Armed Police Response
The incident occurred on July 19 in Newcastle-under-Lyme. Michael Jarvie, 50, had been walking with a friend when they encountered a group of youths. The court heard that one of the youths was known to Jarvie and the group began threatening and swearing at them.
Jarvie, who had been visiting the Rage House paintball venue, was carrying his paintball gun in a case. During the altercation, he withdrew the weapon and aimed it at a member of the group, telling them to leave his friend alone.
Young Victim's Terror and Court Proceedings
Prosecutor Nicholas Tatlow told Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court that Jarvie pointed the gun at the head of the 12-year-old. "The boy believed the gun was real and he feared he would be killed," Mr Tatlow said. Some girls in the group ran away in fear.
An alarmed witness contacted the police, prompting an armed officer response. Jarvie left the scene but was later found and arrested on Poplar Street. The gun was identified as a paintball weapon and no paintball ammunition was found.
Mitigation and Final Sentence
In mitigation, defence counsel Robert Holt said Jarvie had "vulnerabilities" and had been "taunted, bullied and picked upon" by the group. He stated that one individual had made public comments about Jarvie's friend's mental health. "He is ashamed of his actions," Mr Holt said, describing the event as "a moment out of character" where Jarvie "went from nought to 60".
Jarvie, of Poplar Court, Newcastle, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm or imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence. He had spent the previous five months in custody on remand.
Judge Graeme Smith sentenced Jarvie to a seven-month jail term but released him on licence for two months due to time already served. Addressing the defendant, the Judge said: "The 12-year-old was frightened when you pointed the gun at him and he thought it was a real gun. It wasn't planned... but the gun was pointed closely at someone's head."
