A THUG who pointed a gun at a man outside his flat was jailed today for 20 months.

Jason Craig, 31, presented the silver gas-powered pistol at Darren O’Reilly in Glasgow’s Govan area in January this year.

Craig pleaded guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to possession of a firearm with intent to cause Mr O’Reilly to believe that violence would be used against him.

The court heard Craig had been drinking and was singing outside Mr O’Reilly’s flat at 11.15pm.

Mr O’Reilly went to his window to investigate but was challenged to a fight by Craig.

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The lout shouted: “Come down and I will kick your c**t in.”

Mr O’Reilly confronted Craig outside, but he continued to shout abuse.

Prosecutor Mark Allan said: “Craig walked towards Mr O’Reilly reached into his waistband and presented a silver pistol.”

Craig then fled down Govan Road while Mr O’Reilly dialled 999.

An armed response unit later caught up with Craig nearby and he was arrested still in possession of the gun.

Mr Allan said: “This was a CO2 carbon dioxide powered pistol which discharges pellets.

“It wasn’t able to discharge as there was a fault in the valve system.”

It was discovered Craig was on bail for another matter at the time.

Lawyer, Emma Skett, defending, told the court Craig has little memory of the incident due to his problems with alcohol.

She added: “He is well known in the local area and would have easily been identified.

“The article is something that was in his house for a number of years and  he knew fine well it didn’t work.

“He accepts how terrifying it would have been for Mr O’Reilly.”

Sheriff Tony Kelly told Craig: “You took this item with you into a public place. The court must take a dim view of this serious conduct, to stop others who may minded to replicate this.”

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