Gun hoaxer sent to crown court

Reporter A HOAXER triggered a “frantic” search when he rang police and claimed he was armed with guns and was going to “shoot to kill” on the Metro. Alan Justice repeatedly dialled 999 and told call handlers he had already stabbed two people and would kill any officers who tried to approach him.

The 28-year-old claimed he had a shotgun and a pistol and was going to start shooting people on the Tyne and Wear Metro, a court heard. Police immediately started a “frantic” search to try to locate Justice but were initially uncuccessful.

A court was told the hoaxer dialled 999 again and said he had shot someone in the chest and that he was “going to get life” before hanging up. Justice was eventually arrested five days later after significant police resources were used to find him, magistrates heard. And, when he was searched, he was found to have a kitchen knife hidden in his sock,

Justice, of Bellshill Close, Wallsend, is facing a jail sentence after pleading guilty to possessing a bladed article and sending a false message by public electronic communication network to cause annoyance, inconvenience or anxiety.

Clare Irving, prosecuting at North Tyneside Magistrates’ Court, said Justice had first rang the police at 6.45pm on February 14 and claimed he had stabbed his pal.

She said: “The call handler tries to reconnect but it goes to answer phone. The defendant then rings police again and says ‘I have just stabbed my friend, I’m on the Metro and I have a shotgun and a 9mm pistol and I’m going to shoot to kill.’

“He then makes threats to kill officers if they approach him. He hangs up. The defendant rings again and says “I have shot my friend in the chest, I’m going to get life”.”

The court heard this was Justice’s third offence for possessing a bladed article, which carries a minimum six-month prison sentence and a maximum of four years.

When interviewed, Justice claimed he had been drunk when he made the calls to police and was carrying the knife for his own protection.

Ms Irving asked the court to send Justice to the crown court for sentence.

Justice was released on unconditional bail to be sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court on April 17.