Man sentenced for possesion of imitation firearm in Wiltshire
He was sentenced at Swindon Magistrates’ Court on August 15
A man from Trowbridge has been sentenced to nine months in prison for multiple offences, including possession of an imitation firearm.
Marcin Raczak, 28, of Harford Street, was sentenced at Swindon Magistrates’ Court on August 15 after pleading guilty to possession of an offensive weapon, possession of Class A drugs, possession of an imitation firearm, and theft.
At around 4:25 p.m. on February 13, police received reports that two men had pulled out a firearm in Lidl, Warminster, when asked to leave. They were highly intoxicated and attempting to remove alcohol from the store. Members of the public intervened and managed to take the weapon from the pair, which was then safely locked away. It was later discovered that the weapon had been stolen from Salisbury Antiques Market on Catherine Street just hours earlier.
A second incident occurred at around 4:20 p.m. on July 4, when officers were called to Fore Street, Trowbridge, following reports that a man was threatening members of the public with a metal pole. Raczak was arrested, and upon searching his possessions, officers seized two large foil wraps containing amphetamine.
Raczak was sentenced to nine months’ imprisonment for possession of an imitation firearm and three months for possession of an offensive weapon (to run concurrently). He was also ordered to pay £445 in compensation for the theft.
Acting Sergeant Liam Rodrigues-Wilkins said: “These were terrifying incidents not only for the victims who were in attendance but also for the wider community.
“Both of these incident will no doubt have a lasting impact on the residents of Warminster and Trowbridge, especially those who witnessed the incident.
“I would urge anyone with information about individuals carrying weapons or imitation weapons in public to contact the police or report anonymously via Crimestoppers.”