A PENSIONER from Rhyl who threatened a man with an air rifle has been spared jail.

Gareth Parry-Jones, 75, of East Parade, was sentenced to four months’ imprisonment, suspended for a year, at Mold Crown Court today (October 26).

He had previously admitted, on September 29, a charge of possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

READ MORE:

Rhyl man spared jail after stealing goods in ‘spree’ of thefts

Casualty airlifted to hospital after incident on beach near Prestatyn

Rugby coach beats Rhyl floods as he runs 114 miles to raise £16,000

Prosecuting, Emmalyne Downing told the court that, on December 21, 2022, Jamie Collins was working as a constructor at a block of flats on Wellington Road, Rhyl.

Parry-Jones was living there at the time, having declined to leave the premises unlike other residents while the construction work was being carried out.

When Mr Collins went to collect his tools, he tripped over an open floorboard, causing people to laugh at him, including himself.

He was called a “w*****” by Parry-Jones, and Mr Collins, thinking it was said in jest, replied: “d*******”.

But Parry-Jones then went back to his flat, before returning with an air rifle, which he pointed at Mr Collins, asking him: “Do you want me to shoot you?”

This angered Mr Collins, who took a step towards Parry-Jones and shouted at him to “get out of his face”.

Parry-Jones told him he was joking, and that the air rifle was not even loaded.

A colleague of Mr Collins then stepped in-between them, and Parry-Jones returned to his flat.

Police seized the weapon from Parry-Jones, who told officers he had made a “stupid mistake”.

Defending, Simon Rogers said a “positive pre-sentence report” had been compiled about Parry-Jones prior to today’s sentencing.

He had three previous convictions for four offences, all of which pre-date 2009.

Sentencing, Recorder Simon Mills told Parry-Jones that he had exhibited a “one-off excessive reaction” to a “silly argument,” but that he had shown “appropriate remorse”.

“You went straight to 10 on the anger dial,” Recorder Mills told him.

“You’ve shown a good attitude to the probation service, and you’ve shown recognition that you’ve got this Achilles heel.

“I don’t think you’ll ever trouble the court again.”

Parry-Jones will complete 15 days’ rehabilitation activity requirements, while the air rifle was ordered to be forfeited and destroyed.

He will also pay £200 in costs, and a statutory surcharge.