Jailed: Halesowen drink-driver fired fake pistol in traffic
A drink-driver who fired a fake gun on a busy dual carriageway has been jailed for more than two years.
Herjinder Singh Fagura, 43, fired blank rounds that were heard by frightened motorists in queueing traffic, in Tollhouse Way, on April 15.
Firearms officers found him in a Birmingham car park with an imitation revolver and a bottle of Bailey's in his vehicle.
The father was jailed for two years for possession of an imitation firearm, and two months for driving with excess alcohol. He was banned from the road for three and a half years.
Mr Jasbir Mann, prosecuting barrister, said stunned driver Kirsty Forrester was among several who saw what happened and reported the terrifying incident to police.
"She says she was driving along Tollhouse Way in Smethwick when she heard a bang. She was unsure what it was at first and looked round to see what it was. At the rear she saw a car and in the driver's seat was the defendant. She said that he had in his right hand a silver grey coloured pistol. She was looking through her rear view mirror and it looked to her that he was aiming the gun at the back of her car.
"When the lights turned green she turned into Rolfe Street and waited until the defendant's car carried on in the direction of Birmingham," Mr Mann said.
Firearms officers were called and he was eventually found in a car park near Ladywood Middleway in the city. His breath test measured 68 microgrammes. The legal limit is 35.
Mr Gurdeep Garcha, defending barrister, said Fagura, of Blakedown Road, Halesowen, admitted offences of possession of an imitation firearm and driving with excess alcohol at the first opportunity.
Judge Mark Eades sentenced Fagura to a total of 26 months at Wolverhampton Crown Court.
