A “loner” who sparked an armed police response after neighbours spotted him roaming the streets with two guns and wearing a helmet, mask and stab vest has been given unpaid work.
Ian Jolly was pacing back and forth clutching what looked like a handgun and rifle when concerned members of the public spotted him outside their homes near Pittodrie Stadium.
Aberdeen Sheriff Court was told the scene was like something out of the 2001 war film Black Hawk Down.
The 48-year-old was actually carrying an airsoft BB rifle and a BB handgun but a firearms incident was declared and officers swooped on the area.
Accused wearing a black helmet and full black face mask
Fiscal depute Carol Gammie said the incident happened at 12.40am on Merkland Road East on September 19 2021.
“He was wearing a black helmet, full black face mask, black stab vest, black rucksack and appeared to be in possession of a rifle and a small handgun,” she said.
“A member of the public thereafter contacted police.
“At about 1.20 hours, after this being declared a firearms incident, armed firearms officers and police constables attended at the locus and traced the accused at the rear of his home.
“What appeared to be a rifle and handgun were seen on open display through an
open window at the address.”
Jolly was cautioned and detained and, on being searched, was found to have a lock knife within his right trouser pocket.
He was taken to Kittybrewster Police Station while other officers searched his address.
They discovered the airsoft BB rifle and airsoft BB handgun on display in his living room.
The stab vest, black helmet and full face mask were recovered during a further evidential search warrant along with various pellets.
Jolly admitted possession of imitation firearms in a public place and possession of a knife in a public place.
Defence agent Alex Burn described the incident as “like something out of Black Hawk Down”.
Likening the scene to the Ridley Scott war film, he added: “It was a troubling scene for members of the public to see.
“I would be concerned myself if I had been confronted by it.”
The court heard Jolly had no analogous convictions and had not offended since 2018.
Mr Burn added: “He is a loner. He keeps himself to himself, apart from his dog Marley.
“He is an isolated and lonely individual with a limited circle of friends.
“He did a lot of work for local charities and in the background report it says he didn’t think he had done anything wrong because there was no intention there.
“He was testing out a new mask that he had bought.”
Sheriff Morag McLaughlin handed Jolly, of Merkland Road East, Aberdeen, a community payback order comprising 120 hours of unpaid work and nine months of supervision.
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