Teenager sparks gun drama after 'postcode beef'

Sandwell College student Mohammed Mumen was showing the weapon off to friends outside the Queens Square shopping centre and was spotted by alarmed shoppers who feared he was holding a real handgun, a judge was told.

Security staff were alerted before police were called.

Mumen, aged 19, from Handsworth, told police he had bought the BB gun from a market as he needed protection when he was in West Bromwich because of 'postcode beef' with people in the town, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.

Judge James Burbidge said Mumen was an 'immature idiot' and that his actions had understandably caused 'high alert given the times we sadly live in'.

Mr Howard Searle, prosecuting, said: "The weapon was a BB gun, it wasn't loaded. It had capabilities but couldn't have been fired as it had no gas chamber. It isn't considered an air weapon because of its low power but is considered an imitation firearm."

Mumen was seen cocking the weapon, Mr Searle said. "There was no suggestion he brandished it towards any individual but they were understandably frightened by what they saw. They said seeing a gun on the streets of West Bromwich was extremely scary," he added.

When questioned by police, Mumen said he needed the weapon as 'you never know what is going to happen'. He also said that if police could use guns he saw no reason why he couldn't, the court was told.

The teenager, of Stamford Road, who pleaded guilty to possession of an imitation firearm, was given a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months. He was also ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work and pay £250 in court costs.

Judge Burbidge said: "He is lucky police didn't overreact and get firearms officers out and scare him witless when making other people in the community scared by having it in a significantly public place."

He told Mumen: "You said you wanted this it for some sort of protection. Why you felt you needed protection from other folk I don't know."