A man caught with an imitation air handgun down his trousers in a "busy" part of Swindon claimed he was acting as a 'bodyguard' for his friend's brother after she was killed.

Christopher Williams, 30, admitted shoving the imitation firearm in his tracksuit trousers and taking it outside on Fleet Street last Saturday.

But his solicitor told Swindon Magistrates' Court that Williams only took the firearm with him because he was "concerned for the welfare of [his friend's] brother".

An off-duty officer who had served in the army was "shocked" when he "saw something down his [the defendant's] trousers" in a "busy place" near Remix.

The officer gave chase and tackled Williams to the ground.

Defending Williams, Mark Glendenning said: "He had a friend there who unfortunately was murdered in the last couple of weeks.

"It affected him quite significantly and he came down [to Swindon] to be with her family - including her brother - and he was intending to stay in the local area until June 8.

"He has been concerned for the welfare of this lady’s brother.

"This air weapon - it is regarded as such - was in the property when they left. He took it for no other reason than being a bodyguard.

"It is not proffered or brandished at any point."

The hearing was adjourned for a pre-sentence report. Williams, of Hagley Road West in Birmingham, was released on conditional bail and will appear before Swindon Magistrates' Court again on July 5.