An Aberdeen dad who fired a replica handgun from a bedroom window caused panic when people believed the weapon to be real.
Graeme Cooper, 50, wanted to show his teenage son how far his new BB gun could shoot and began repeatedly firing it out of his bedroom window at a street sign.
However, his foolhardy actions were observed by onlookers, who quickly alerted police as they feared for the safety of children nearby.
Cooper’s solicitor told Aberdeen Sheriff Court his client “accepts it was a stupid and reckless thing to do”.
Accused wanted to see how far gun would fire
Fiscal depute Stephanie Cardow told the court that on the morning of September 15 2020 Cooper went to a store at Mastrick Shopping Centre and purchased a G6 BB Gun and pellets.
“At around 3pm the same day, the accused and his son were examining the BB gun within the first-floor bedroom at the locus on Stronsay Drive,” Mrs Cardow said.
“The accused stated he wanted to know how far the BB gun pellet would travel and located a sign 20 metres away.”
At the same time, a witness was driving passed Cooper’s home with his daughter and saw the gun being pointed out the window.
“The witnesses became alarmed as he and his daughter feared for their safety as they thought the gun was real,” Mrs Cardow said.
As the driver pulled the car over, the witnesses heard 12 shots ring out as the gun was fired from across the street towards a metal post.
At the time, the witnesses also noted numerous vehicles and school children were in close proximity.
The police were called and visited Cooper’s home, where they seized the replica.
Cooper pleaded guilty to one charge of culpably and recklessly discharging a BB gun across a public road to the danger of members of the public.
‘Accepts that he did discharge BB gun’
Defence agent Michael Horsman told the court that his client’s explanation of the incident was very similar to what was narrated by the Crown.
“He fully accepts that he did discharge the BB gun,” he said.
“Mr Cooper does say that he did check the road was clear before doing so, but he accepts that it was a stupid and reckless thing to do.”
Telling Cooper he would be “punished for his stupidity,” Sheriff Gordon Fleetwood sentenced Cooper, who now lives at Ness Place, Aberdeen, to a community payback order with 60 hours of unpaid work.
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