Man jailed after women fall victim to gun ‘prank’

COURT: Women threatened after asking accused for a lift home

A gun thug who pressed the barrel of a pistol against a woman’s head when she asked him for a lift home has been jailed.

Ross Jackson claimed the incident was a “practical joke” but a court heard his stunt left two women “terrified”.

Rebecka Kean and Anna Moir had gone to Jackson’s address on Court Street, Dundee, having been told there was a party there.

But when they turned up Jackson told them no such gathering was taking place and he got into a friend’s car.

When Miss Kean approached the car to ask for a lift home Jackson rolled down the window and pulled a black, long-barrelled handgun from the pocket of his jumper.

Depute fiscal Vicki Bell told Dundee Sheriff Court: “He then removed it and put the barrel on to Miss Kean’s forehead.

“She could feel cold metal.

“The accused and the car’s driver began laughing.

“The accused then got angry and said ‘you better get her to f*** off’ and pointed the gun at Miss Moir, then back at Miss Kean, who had then moved back.

“She was terrified and froze as it was pointed.

“She was crying and saying she couldn’t breathe.

“Miss Moir was physically sick as a result.

“They both believed it was a real handgun.

“The accused was sitting in the passenger seat of the car and it drove off.

“They phoned police the next day and identified the accused.”

Jackson, 25, a prisoner at Perth, pleaded guilty on indictment to a charge of assault committed on June 10 this year on Court Street.

Solicitor advocate Jim Laverty, defending, said: “This was a prank which was misjudged, ill conceived and he now appreciates caused significant fear and alarm.

“He concedes that what he saw as a prank and a joke wasn’t taken that way and must have been a frightening experience for the two individuals concerned.

“I tender his unreserved apology for the fear he caused in relation to this case.”

Sheriff Alastair Carmichael jailed Jackson for 14 months.

He said: “You have had the benefit of all kinds of non-custodial disposals and they have failed.

“I see no reason to think that another community-based sentence will have any effect. There is no other option than to impose a custodial sentence.”

He then removed it and put the barrel on to Miss Kean’s forehead