Man pointed handgun at 'terrified' 999 crew

A CANCER-SUFFERING recluse pulled a handgun on two female ambulance staff who were trying to help him.

- By MARTIN NAYLOR

Nottingham Crown Court was told how both EMAS workers were “terrified” and believed the loaded imitation air pistol Perry Coppins pointed at them was a real gun.

In an impact statement, one of the victims told how she was “in genuine fear for her and her colleague's lives” at the hands of the 68-year-old alcoholic.

In 2018, the defendant found media fame when he was detained in a Dubai prison for five weeks over his anti-anxiety medication.

Imposing a 13-month jail term, suspended for two years, Recorder Adrian Langdale KC said: “The ambulance crew going about their job were trying to help you. You were described as slurring, stumbling and you then became very hostile, went to the back of the caravan, returned with a black handgun and pointed it at everyone.

"They did not know it was an air gun. They must have been absolutely petrified. You said 'the safety is on but I can take it off' and a friend bravely got it off you and it was loaded.