Police release picture of a man who was caught with an imitation handgun in Sheffield city centre

Sheffield Crown Court heard on October 26 how Adel Deoud, aged 40, of no fixed abode, was reported to police by members of the public who claimed they had seen him with a handgun in Sheffield city centre.

Ian West, prosecuting, said: “On Wednesday, August 25, this year at just before 6.30pm, two people contacted the police out of concern this defendant was walking about the city centre, in particular Waingate, with a handgun.”

Mr West added police attended quickly and recovered an imitation handgun from the defendant.

Deoud initially told police the firearm had been passed to him by a friend and he also made some sort of excuse about Halloween and that he had bought it from a shop.

He later said he had found the imitation firearm in rubbish and that he had been taking it to police but when he was arrested he had been walking in the opposite direction to the police station, according to Mr West.

Deoud, who has previous convictions, pleaded guilty to possessing an imitation firearm in public and to possessing cannabis which was found by police when he was searched at the police station.

Chris Brewin, defending, said: “He has difficulties. He’s originally from The Sudan. He has been in the UK 25 years and he has worked.

"But his biggest problem recently is that he has been homeless and he has been doing everything he can to find accommodation but his homelessness has led him to use cannabis and on occasions he has been drinking to excess.”

Judge Graham Reeds QC told Deoud: “The weapon was an imitation handgun sufficiently realistic to cause two people to ring the police. It was found loaded with a blank round and cocked and ready to fire.”

He added: “Anyone who has an imitation firearm in the street which is capable of being fired must expect there must be a deterrent sentence.”

Judge Reeds sentenced Deoud to 36 weeks of custody.

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