A STREET drinker who threatened to shoot a security guard just days after he was caught brandishing an air rifle in the town centre has been jailed.
Joseph McLaughlin, 31, was spared an immediate jail sentence on Monday, 24 hours after he was arrested for aiming the firearm in The Parade.
Three days later – on Christmas Eve - he was arrested again, having threatened to “shoot” a Brunel shopping centre security guard.
READ MORE: No jail for man who waved air rifle in town centre
Prosecutor Kate Prince told Swindon Magistrates’ Court on Boxing Day that the guard had been walking into the centre from Havelock Square at around 4pm on Christmas Eve when he heard a man making a comment about shooting him.
He turned around and saw McLaughlin raise his arms as if aiming a rife. The guard asked him what he meant. McLaughlin replied: “I’ll shoot you too.”
The guard said the drinker had previously told security staff he carried a knife with him. The comments were typically made when he was being kicked out of the shopping centre.
McLaughlin admitted making the comments when he was later interviewed by police.
Joseph McLaughlin's custody shot Picture: WILTSHIRE POLICE
Appearing before Swindon Magistrates’ Court via video link from Gablecross police station, McLaughlin, of Curtis Street, pleaded guilty to a charge of threatening behaviour. He admitted breaching the six month suspended sentence imposed on Monday for earlier charges including being drunk in charge of a firearm and possession of a knife.
Defending, Gordon Hotson said his client had gone into town to withdraw cash from his bank in order to buy food over Christmas. His mood dipped when he discovered the bank had already shut. “He was walking through town listening to some – I think the phrase is ‘gangsta rap’ – on a portable Bluetooth speaker. That is music that is quite negative and that contributed to his already irritated mood.”
The solicitor said McLaughlin was an alcoholic. He consumed so much alcohol that withdrawing completely could potentially kill him. Together with his girlfriend, he was planning to wean himself off from Monday.
Mr Hotson urged magistrates to consider allowing the suspended sentence to continue. His client had not had a chance to begin working with the probation service or addiction charity Turning Point.
Magistrates activated the 26 week suspended sentence in full. A further four weeks’ imprisonment was imposed for the threatening behaviour offence, although the sentences will be served concurrently.
Chairman of the bench Rachel Gowshall said: “You were placed on a suspended sentence order on the 21st of this month and within a very short period of time you’ve breached that order.
“You would have been told very clearly the rules of the order and the consequences if you didn’t stick to those rules and now we find ourselves with another offence in a short period of time.”
McLaughlin must pay £85 costs and a £128 victim surcharge.
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