TWO men who threatened police officers with a gun in Marston Green are facing jail sentences.
Andrew Beckett and Antony Briscoe were travelling with the handgun shortly after West Midlands Police say they’re understood to have been involved in disorder.
The force says officers had responded to reports of fighting – where weapons were reported to have been brandished – in Station Road in February and during their enquiries in and around the area they spotted a black Mercedes was in the middle of the road on The Radleys with no lights on less than half-an-hour later.
A call about the initial trouble had referred to a vehicle, matching its description, and when two officers approached the car they found Beckett and Briscoe inside.
Briscoe got out the vehicle but then encouraged Beckett to start the engine. Beckett then pulled out a handgun and threatened the officers who retreated and the car made off.
The car was found abandoned in Cockshut Hill and following an area search a handgun – which was later confirmed as being a viable firearm – in a bush and also ammunition were recovered
Following a quicktime review of CCTV – alongside other enquiries – it was established Beckett and Briscoe as the pair from the Mercedes.
Briscoe was arrested from his home the following day while a van was stopped carrying Beckett two days later.
Beckett, aged 37 of The Radleys, Smiths Wood, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, and possession of ammunition without a certificate.
Briscoe, 37, of Shirestone Road, Birmingham, was convicted of possession of a prohibited weapon, and possession of ammunition without a certificate following a trial at Birmingham Crown Court.
He was found not guilty of possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.
The pair have been remanded in custody ahead of sentencing on a date to be confirmed.
DC Baron Briscoe, who led the investigation, said: “This was a viable firearm which could have caused serious or even deadly harm.
“This was one of the most terrifying moments these officers will likely ever face, but they kept calm in an extremely distressing scenario.
“I fully believe that serious harm could’ve been caused to members of the public on that evening. This was prevented by the diligent actions of the officers stopping the vehicle.”
