Teen with guns sparked Hogmanay armed police response

Officers recovered the weapons after a police helicopter spotted them being dumped in a bin.

Teen with guns sparked Hogmanay armed police response Police Scotland

A teenager with two hand guns and a knife sparked a police armed response operation on New Year’s Eve.

The then 15-year-old boy was clocked with the imitation glock style air weapons in Glasgow’s Castlemilk on December 31, 2019.

Earlier reports of groups of youths fighting with knives and guns prompted fire arms officers, dogs and a helicopter to attend.

The teenager fled the scene but was tracked by the helicopter who alerted officers to his whereabouts and the dumped weapons.

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pled guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to two charges of possession of an imitation firearm.

He also admitted possession of a knife and behaving in a threatening or abusive manner.

The court heard a 999 call was made at 8.30pm by a woman who witnessed a group of youths shouting, swearing and fighting in the street.

Prosecutor Claire Wallace said: “She said the people were wearing hoods and in possession of guns and knives.

“At the mention of weapons, armed response was told to respond.”

Officers arrived and the group hurled abuse at them then ran from the scene.

Ms Wallace said: “Armed response officers were standing by and began an area search.

“They requested air support from a police helicopter and the dog branch.”

The teenager was spotted breaking from the group and he was followed by officers.

He ran into a wooded area while clutching a black Adidas rucksack.

Ms Wallace said: “The accused put his hand in his rucksack and made a threatening stance towards a police officer.”

The boy continued to run off but the helicopter spotted him putting the rucksack in a bin before he was arrested.

Officers later recovered the two guns and the knife from the bag.

Sentence was deferred until next month for background reports by Sheriff Joan Kerr who granted the boy, now 16, bail meantime.

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