Ill man who threatened 999 staff with air rifle escapes jail term

A MAN with mental health issues who threatened emergency services staff with an air rifle has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Barry Beaver (33), of Jowitt Close, Maltby, admitted threatening staff with the Black Ops 2.2 calibre imitation firearm and was sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court on Monday.

He admitted one count of possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

Sentencing him, Judge Peter Kelson said he was persuaded not to jail Beaver for the minimum five-year term which was usually imposed for firearms offences.

He instead gave him a two-year prison term suspended for two years.

Mr Kelson said Beaver was a man suffering from “terrible psychiatric problems”.

He said: “It was a very serious incident but I have grave anxiety that the law was not designed for your case.

“It would just not be fair.

“It wouldn’t be right to impose a sentence which I anticipate was designed for gangsters and criminals.”

Mr Kelson said Beaver must take medication for his psychiatric issues and told him he was giving him “a chance”.

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