Stenhousemuir man told cops he had a gun and 'wanted to shoot people'

An offender with a history of weapon possession told police he had a Beretta handgun and was going to shoot people.
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Darren Nicol (36), 53 Hillary Road, Stenhousemuir, appeared from custody via video link at Falkirk Sheriff Court on Thursday having admitted behaving in a threatening manner at Braeview, Stenhousemuir, on November 1.

Sean Maher, procurator fiscal depute, said: “It was 9.40pm and the accused contacted police stating he was in possession of a gun and wanted to shoot people. He also wanted armed police to come to his location in the street in Stenhousemuir.

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“He sounded intoxicated and further stated he hadn’t taken his medication and had a 9mm Beretta handgun with seven rounds of ammunition. Police responded to this with a firearms unit and several local units.

Nicol appeared from custody via video link at Falkirk Sheriff Court on ThursdayNicol appeared from custody via video link at Falkirk Sheriff Court on Thursday
Nicol appeared from custody via video link at Falkirk Sheriff Court on Thursday

“The accused called police again and said he was making his way to his father’s house. At midnight he entered his father's house. When police attended his father came out, stating the accused was under the influence of Valium and had fallen asleep on the sofa.

“He told officers his son was not in possession of any weapons.”

The court heard that six firearms officers from Maddiston, Rosyth and Edinburgh, a tactical commander and emergency response teams from the Scottish Ambulance Service had to be deployed because of Nicol’s empty threat.

After he was arrested Nicol said he was sorry.

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Sheriff Derek Hamilton said: “You have a terrible record including many convictions for weapons and violence – the police were quite right to treat your reports seriously at great public expense.”

He sent Nicol to prison for eight months.