Husband jailed for gun threat
A lovesick Black Country man who held an imitation gun to the head of his terrified wife as their 20-year marriage collapsed and warned: "This is for you," was today behind bars.
A lovesick Black Country man who held an imitation gun to the head of his terrified wife as their 20-year marriage collapsed and warned: "This is for you," was today behind bars.
Paul Swain snapped as wife Marie gave him a lift through Walsall, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told. Prosecutor Ian Strongman said that the pair had separated four months earlier but were living under the same roof, and had taken a drive together when threats were made.
"She was driving when he said: 'This is your last ride,' before he grabbed the steering wheel and forced the vehicle to swerve to the other side of the road," said Mr Strongman.
"Then he pulled out the gun, pointed it at her and declared: 'This is for you.'" The court heard that after making the threat, Swain pulled the gun away and said it was for him. The father-of-two, aged 48, then put the imitation Beretta, that was actually a gas powered pellet gun at his feet.
She later confessed to detectives: "I was scared from my life and was so happy just to see him leave the vehicle.
Mrs Swain put the gun "out of harm's way" at her home in Pargeter Street, Brownhills and did not immediately report the incident to police, the court heard.
But two weeks later on November 9, Swain attacked her at the house after a drinking spree and officers were called to the address, the court was told.
Robert Perry, defending, added: "It was a frightening situation for his wife and he is extremely remorseful. This was totally out of character. He is not proud of himself and lost control for a very short period of time when in drink."
Swain, now living at Hough Road, Pleck, admitted possession of an imitation firearm and assault and was yesterday jailed for 16 months by Judge John Warner.
