Jail for man who made gun threats

A MAN who told a 999 call handler he would shoot a police officer and demanded armed officers attended his address has been jailed.

- By CARL EVE

Christopher Finch, of Lipson Road, Plymouth, appeared at Plymouth Crown Court last Friday, after he pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

Prosecutor Francesca Whebell told the court how, at around 3.31am on January 17 this year, 29-year-old Finch called the NHS 101 number from his home to tell staff he was going to go to Laira Bridge to jump off it. He said he had a gas-powered BB gun and it was "going through my f***ing throat" adding that they should "send armed police, send whoever you f***ing need".

A short while later, he called 999, telling the call handler he wanted the ambulance stood down, but added that if "one person" went through his door "I'm shooting them in the head". Asked if he had access to a firearm, he replied: "Send someone, you'll f***ing find out".

This information was passed to the police, and officers were asked to attend the address. At 4.25am, he called 999 again and apologised, claiming he had been going through a "bad time" as his sister had recently passed away.

He told the call handler: "If you want to send police to shoot me dead, that's what's going to happen. I'm dead tonight if you send police."

Finch admitted he had taken cocaine and alcohol that night. He added that he would do an "armed stand-off in my street if I have to". At that point, he noticed there was someone at the door of the property, and told the call handler: "If it's the police, they're getting shot".