Napping boyfriend found with drugs and fake gun

FINED £180 FOR POSSESSION

Mark Casson leaves North Tyneside Magistrates’ Court A SNOOZING boyfriend was found with an imitation firearm after he fell asleep in a children’s play area.

Police were called to the park at West Percy Road, in North Shields, on September 17 after concerned members of the public reported seeing a man with a gun.

When officers arrived, they found Mark Casson and asked him if he was carrying a weapon, a court heard.

The 39-year-old immediately claimed it was a BB (ball-bearing) handgun and a black-handled ‘firearm’ was found in the grass nearby.

Subsequent examinations revealed it was in fact an unloaded BB gun but Casson was arrested and charged with possession of an imitation firearm.

He pleaded guilty to that offence and one of possessing amphetamine during a hearing at North Tyneside Magistrates’ Court this week. The playing fields in North Shields where the incident happened

Prosecutor Clare Irving said: “Police were notified by the public that there was a male in the playing fields with a weapon. So, they go at around 10.15am to West Percy Road and the defendant weapons.

“He says that it’s just a BB gun and by the defendant is a black-handled gun concealed by the grass. is asked if he has

“That’s examined and it’s an imitation firearm.

“The defendant is cautioned and arrested.”

As well as being found with the BB gun, Casson also had a small quantity of amphetamine with him.

Casson, of Vicarage Street, North Shields, told officers he used the gun to shoot cans and ‘mess about with’ and had taken it out of the house after having an argument with his girlfriend.

The court was told he had then later fallen asleep in the playing fields.

Julia Russell, for Casson, told magistrates: “He had an argument with his partner and he’s picked up a bag and gone out.

“He sat on a park bench and has fallen asleep and that offers an explanation as to why the gun was where it was.

“Clearly, he’s not been pointing it at anyone but he shouldn’t have it in a public place.”

Casson was fined £180 and was ordered to pay £85 costs and a £30 victim surcharge.

Magistrates also ordered the gun and the drugs to be destroyed.